Giant cell arteritis

Question 1

What is giant cell arteritis?

Answer 1

Chronic vasculitis of large and medium sized vessels

Question 2

Where does giant cell arteritis most commonly affect?

Answer 2

Arteries originating from arch of aorta

Question 3

What are the risk factors for giant cell arteritis?

Answer 3

> 50 years
More common in women
Strong association with polymyalgia rheumatica
Genetic predisposition

Question 4

What are the symptoms of giant cell arteritis?

Answer 4

Symptoms usually present acutely
Headache - localised, unilateral, over temple
Tongue or jaw claudication upon mastication
Polymyalgia rheumatica symptoms - aching and stiffness in neck, shoulders, hips and proximal extremities

Question 5

How is giant cell arteritis diagnosed?

Answer 5

Presence of 2 or more of:
Raised ESR, CRP or PV (plasma viscosity)
Tenderness or decreased pulsation of temporal artery
New visual symptoms
Biopsy revealing necrotising arteritis

Question 6

What is the management of giant cell arteritis?

Answer 6

Prednisolone 60-100mg PO OD for at least 2 weeks before tapering down slowly
Low dose aspirin therapy to reduce thrombotic risk