Variations in Takayasu arteritis characteristics in a cohort of patients with different racial backgrounds

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to describe differences in disease characteristics and outcomes in Takayasu arteritis (TA) patients with different racial backgrounds. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study consisting of TA patients seen at specialty vasculitis clinics from five academic hospitals across Canada. Disease features, treatments and outcomes were compared between White and non-White patients. RESULTS: The cohort included 113 patients, of which 51 were White. Over 50% of the non-White patients were Asian. Compared to non-White patients, White patients had higher CRP and ESR at diagnosis (33.6 mg/l versus 9.4 mg/l, p = 0.033; and 51 mm/h versus 24 mm/h, p = 0.047; respectively), and were less likely to have baseline cardiovascular comorbidities including dyslipidemia (11.8% versus 29%, p = 0.037). There were no significant differences between racial groups for other disease characteristics or outcomes. CONCLUSION: Patient race did not appear to play a significant role in determining disease characteristics and outcomes when comparing TA patients from various racial backgrounds living in the same country.