DEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL FEATURES OF TAKAYASU ARTERITIS IN WEST AZERBAIJAN, IRAN: 2010-2018

Takayasu arteritis is a chronic disease of medium- and large-sized arteries. Its
clinical diversity in different geographical areas can be due to the involvement of different vascular
regions. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical presentations, and demographic
and radiologic findings of patients with Takayasu arteritis who were admitted to Urmia University
Hospital in 2010 – 2018.
Materials & Methods: Data of the patients with Takayasu arthritis (presence of at least three criteria of
American College of Rheumatology), including their constitutional, neuro-vascular, cardio-vascular
symptoms were collected from their medical files. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20 software.
Results: In this study, we evaluated 14 patients (12 females – 2 males). The mean diagnosis age was
33.00 ± 9.16 years and the mean delay in diagnosis was 5.11±4.99 years. All patients (100% )presented
ischemic complication. It was reported that 78.6% of cases had a decrease in brachial pulse and 64.3%
had a difference in blood pressure between arms. Limb claudication and subclavian bruit were 78.6%
and 71.4%, respectively. According to angiographic findings, most of patients had stenosis (78.6%) and
type IIa (42.9%). The pure aneurysmal lesion was not reported in any of the patients. In only one patient
(7.1%), with type IV, intestinal ischemia resulted in death.
Conclusion: Takayasu arteritis occurs most commonly in young women with a diversity of
manifestations. In the early stages of the disease, nonspecific clinical and laboratory findings lead to
delayed diagnosis and irreversible ischemic lesion. These complications highlight the necessity of
careful vascular examinations.