A randomized, multicenter, controlled trial using intravenous pulses of methylprednisolone in the initial treatment of simple forms of giant cell arteritis: a one year followup study of 164 patients.

MP pulses have no significant longterm, corticosteroid sparing effects in the treatment of simple forms of GCA and should be limited to complicated forms. Moreover, corticosteroid resistance is a real risk factor for GCA complications.