RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Development of Outcome Measures for Large-vessel Vasculitis for Use in Clinical Trials: Opportunities, Challenges, and Research Agenda JF The Journal of Rheumatology JO J Rheumatol FD The Journal of Rheumatology SP 1471 OP 1479 DO 10.3899/jrheum.110275 VO 38 IS 7 A1 HANER DIRESKENELI A1 SIBEL Z. AYDIN A1 TANAZ A. KERMANI A1 ERIC L. MATTESON A1 MAARTEN BOERS A1 KAREN HERLYN A1 RAASHID A. LUQMANI A1 TUHINA NEOGI A1 PHILIP SEO A1 RAVI SUPPIAH A1 GUNNAR TOMASSON A1 PETER A. MERKEL YR 2011 UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/38/7/1471.abstract AB Giant cell (GCA) and Takayasu’s arteritis (TAK) are 2 forms of large-vessel vasculitis (LVV) that involve the aorta and its major branches. GCA has a predilection for the cranial branches, while TAK tends to affect the extracranial branches. Both disorders may also cause nonspecific constitutional symptoms. Although some clinical features are more common in one or the other disorder and the ages of initial presentation differ substantially, there is enough clinical and histopathologic overlap between these disorders that some investigators suggest GCA and TAK may be 2 processes within the spectrum of a single disease. There have been few randomized therapeutic trials completed in GCA, and none in TAK. The lack of therapeutic trials in LVV is only partially explained by the rarity of these diseases. It is likely that the lack of well validated outcome measures for LVV and uncertainties regarding trial design contribute to the paucity of trials for these diseases. An initiative to develop a core set of outcome measures for use in clinical trials of LVV was launched by the international OMERACT Vasculitis Working Group in 2009 and subsequently endorsed by the OMERACT community at the OMERACT 10 meeting. Aims of this initiative include: (1) to review the literature and existing data related to outcome assessments in LVV; (2) to obtain the opinion of experts and patients on disease content; and (3) to formulate a research agenda to facilitate a more data-based approach to outcomes development.