Inflammatory intestinal diseases
Cure8 research brief
Why This Matters
Older adults with ulcerative colitis can rarely develop large-vessel giant cell arteritis as an extraintestinal complication.
This report suggests tofacitinib helped one patient achieve steroid-sparing control of both UC and vascular inflammation, which could be of interest when other treatments fail or are not tolerated.
Who Should Pay Attention
Adult patients with UC (especially elderly-onset), gastroenterologists, rheumatologists, and clinicians managing difficult overlap inflammatory syndromes.
Study Snapshot
Story typeResearch paper
Evidence typeResearch paper
Source depthJournal abstract
What To Know
This is a single case report, not a clinical trial. The patient had thoracic aortic and proximal branch arterial inflammation diagnosed by MRI and treated sequentially with tocilizumab, adalimumab, and infliximab (the latter stopped for infusion reaction) before starting tofacitinib to allow steroid tapering.
The authors report that tofacitinib was associated with improvement in both vascular inflammation and ulcerative colitis activity in this individual. The report highlights considering large-vessel GCA when older patients with UC present with unexplained fever or neck pain and using vascular imaging for diagnosis.
It also notes that therapeutic choices were individualized after intolerance or loss of response to other agents.
Keep In Mind
Single-patient case report from a peer-reviewed journal; not a substitute for clinical trial evidence. Imaging (MRI) was used for vascular diagnosis. The account describes prior use and intolerance/loss-of-response to several biologics before tofacitinib was started.
Source Details
Review the original publication for the complete reporting, methods, and context.
Research paper
Evidence type derived from source or registry metadata.
PublicationInflammatory intestinal diseases
AuthorsMitsui K, Ishiguro Y, Higuchi N +2 more
Study typeJournal article, case reports
Indexed viaEurope PMC
Source typeResearch paper
PublishedJan 1, 2026, 12:00 AM
Content availableJournal abstract
This Cure8 brief is based on source text from the linked article. Cure8 is informational only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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