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Giant cell arteritis

Prevalence
Clinical features
Differential Diagnosis
Investigations
Therapy
Prognosis
Prognosis

Relapses are common but decrease over time. Half are triggered by attempting to reduce the steroid dose. b

The ESR or CRP alone do not usefully predict which patients relapse or develop complications, c so dose adjustments in steroid dose should be based on patient's symptoms. d

Note

  • One in four relapse within 2 years (24%: 95% CI: 3.4% to 44%). b
  • In one study, 54% of relapses occurred after reducing steroid dose. b
  • Relapses are not predicted by ESR, CRP or temporal artery biopsy.c

 

Expiry date: January 2004
Levels of Evidence used in grading these guides

Author   CM   Ball
Reviewer   M V   Kyle
CAT Writer   CM   Ball