Giant Cell Arteritis: An Update on Diagnosis and Management

Elizabeth Hazel, MD, FRCPC, PGY6 Rheumatology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC.
Michael Starr, MD, FRCPC, Director, Rheumatology Program; Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common form of vasculitis in the older adult population. There are variable clinical presentations of this entity and no perfect diagnostic test, often making the diagnosis challenging. Prompt initiation of corticosteroids may prevent visual loss in affected individuals. Temporal artery biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosing GCA. Patients require an individualized steroid tapering schedule to minimize side effects. Physicians caring for these patients should be aware of the potential for long-term vascular complications of GCA.
Key words: giant cell arteritis, temporal arteritis, vasculitis, ESR, corticosteroids.