2022 American College of Rheumatology/EULAR classification criteria for Takayasu arteritis

ObjectiveTo develop and validate new classification criteria for Takayasu arteritis (TAK). MethodsPatients with vasculitis or comparator diseases were recruited into an international cohort. The study proceeded in six phases: (1) identification of candidate criteria items, (2) collection of candidate items present at diagnosis, (3) expert panel review of cases, (4) data-driven reduction of candidate items, (5) derivation of a points-based classification score in a development data set and (6) validation in an independent data set. ResultsThe development data set consisted of 316 cases of TAK and 323 comparators. The validation data set consisted of an additional 146 cases of TAK and 127 comparators. Age <= 60 years at diagnosis and imaging evidence of large-vessel vasculitis were absolute requirements to classify a patient as having TAK. The final criteria items and weights were as follows: female sex (+1), angina (+2), limb claudication (+2), arterial bruit (+2), reduced upper extremity pulse (+2), reduced pulse or tenderness of a carotid artery (+2), blood pressure difference between arms of >= 20 mm Hg (+1), number of affected arterial territories (+1 to +3), paired artery involvement (+1) and abdominal aorta plus renal or mesenteric involvement (+3). A patient could be classified as having TAK with a cumulative score of >= 5 points. When these criteria were tested in the validation data set, the model area under the curve was 0.97 (95% CI 0.94 to 0.99) with a sensitivity of 93.8% (95% CI 88.6% to 97.1%) and specificity of 99.2% (95% CI 96.7% to 100.0%). ConclusionThe 2022 American College of Rheumatology/EULAR classification criteria for TAK are now validated for use in research.

Automated summary

This study developed and validated new classification criteria for Takayasu arteritis through expert panel review and data analysis. The model showed a high level of accuracy and sensitivity when tested in the validation data set.