Title: Characteristics of giant cell arteritis cases (report of 16 cases)
Abstract: Objective To analyze the clinical features of 21 chinese giant cell arteritis (GCA) patients, so to arouse awareness of chinese clinicians to the early diagnosis of GCA. Methods Sixteen in-patients of PUMC hospital fulfilling the ACR classification criteria of GCA were analyzed. Results Five patients were men, the other eleven were women. The mean age was 63.4 years old, from 51~75. The clinical manifestations: 12 patients (75%) had headache, 4 patients (25%) had jaw claudication, 5 patients (31.25%) had vision loss, 8 patients (50%) had abnormal temporal artery, 11 patients had fever (68.7%), 9 patients had polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) (56.25%). ESR was 50~150mm/h, mean value was 98.3mm/h. Temporal artery biopsy (TAB) was performed in 10 patients, only 5 showed pathological diagnosis of GCA. Prompt corticosteroid treatment began soon after the diagnosis was established in 15 patients. The initial dose ranged from 20 to 70mg/d. Nine patients had MTX or CTX at the same time. Conclusions Most patients with GCA in this study have fever and significant elevation of ESR. Vision loss is relatively rare. TAB is safe and helpful to diagnosis.
Publication Year: 2008
Publication Date: 2008-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
Access and Citation
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot