Hydroxychloroquine in Giant Cell Arteritis

Multicentric Double Blind Versus Placebo Randomised Study Evaluating the Corticosteroid Sparing Effect of Hydrocyschloroquine in Non Complicated Giant Cell Arteritis.

Cortico-dependence is frequent in giant cell arteritis patients, and no drugs has proved its ability to prevent corticodependence. Hydrocychloroquine is a well tolerated immunomodulatory drug that may have a corticosteroid sparing potential according to immuno-pharmacological and clinical data. We have designed a multcentric double blind versus placebo randomized controled trial to assess the corticosteroid sparing effect of hydroxychloroquine in non complicated giant cell arteritis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• giant celle arteritis with at least 3 ACR criteria including a disgnostic temporal artery biopsy
• corticosteroid treatment since less than 1 month
• age less than 85 years
• signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• amaurosis fugax, loss of vision, acute lumb ischemia, angina pectoris or myocardium infarctus, mesenteric ischemia or other vascular complications related to GCA
• low life expectancy (<2 years)
• corticosteroid treatment since more than 30 days whatever the dosage
• primary corticosteroid resistance defined by persistant symptoms despite prednisone for more than 15 days
• previous psychiatric troubles induced corticosteroids
• hydroxychloroquine contra-indicated