Tocilizumab Duration in GCA — SCE Rheumatology MCQ

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HardVasculitisTocilizumab Duration in GCASCE Rheumatology

A 60-year-old woman with GCA has been on Prednisolone and Tocilizumab for 12 months. She is in sustained remission. According to NICE TA518 what is the expected duration of Tocilizumab treatment in GCA?

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Correct answer: C — 12 months initially then reassess for discontinuation

The best answer is “12 months initially then reassess for discontinuation”. 12 months initially then reassess for discontinuation is supported by the cited UK or directly applicable specialist authority and best matches the tested threshold, complication or monitoring principle. The remaining choices—“Lifelong, within a rheumatology pathway”, “6 months, after safety review”, “3 months principally, with clinical reassessment”, “24 months minimum, within a rheumatology pathway”—are credible in related rheumatology presentations, but each addresses a different diagnosis, investigation, treatment sequence or complication and does not fit the decisive findings in this stem.

Reference: NICE NG100 rheumatoid arthritis in adults: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng100/chapter/Recommendations