Ultrasound lesions in temporal and axillary arteries and relapse risk in giant cell arteritis.

Association of Ultrasonographic Temporal Artery Lesions and Relapse in Patients With Giant Cell Arteritis

Observational University Hospital, Brest · NCT06894602

We will test whether lesions seen on ultrasound of the temporal and axillary arteries can predict relapse in people with giant cell arteritis.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Brest Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Brest and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06894602 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a prospective, bicentric longitudinal observational study enrolling 100 patients with giant cell arteritis at two French university hospitals. Participants will have three routine visits that include clinical assessment, blood tests, and ultrasound of the temporal and axillary arteries using the OGUS scoring system. Ultrasound examinations will be performed as part of standard care and will not be blinded to clinicians, and the study will analyze whether ultrasound lesion patterns or OGUS scores are associated with clinico-biological relapse. No interventional procedures or additional costs are required and follow-up imaging is integrated into routine care.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults who meet the 2022 ACR criteria for giant cell arteritis, can give informed consent, and receive care at the participating centers in Brest or Quimper are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients who cannot consent (for example, those under guardianship), are not affiliated to the French Social Security system, or cannot access the participating centers are unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, routine ultrasound findings and OGUS scores could help doctors predict relapses earlier and tailor monitoring or treatment for people with GCA.

How similar studies have performed: Ultrasound is an established diagnostic and monitoring tool in GCA and the OGUS score exists, but longitudinal evidence directly linking specific ultrasound lesions to relapse is limited and not yet definitive.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Major patient
* Patients meeting ACR 2022 criteria for giant cell arteritis.
* No opposition expressed

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients unable to understand the protocol, under guardianship or curatorship.
* Patients not affiliated to the French Social Security system.

Where this trial is running

Brest and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Giant Cell Arteritisgiant cell arteritisUltrasoundfollow upmonitoringOGUS score
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.