GCA and PMR Flashcards
What is GCA?
large vessel granulomatous vasculitis
What does GCA stand for?
giant cell arteritis
What branches are affected in GCA?
branches of external carotid artery
What is classic epid for GCA?
elderly female
What does PMR stand for?
polymylagia rheumatica
What is PMR?
inflammatory condition which manifests as pain and morning stiffness in neck, shoulder and hip girdle
What is the presentation of GCA?
- Unilateral headache
- Scalp tenderness
- Tongue/jaw claudication
- Amaurosis fugax
- Unilateral blindness
What is the presentation of PMR?
- Subacute onset (2 weeks) of bilateral aching, tenderness and morning stiffness
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Anorexia
- Weakness is NOT a feature
What investigations for GCA are done before management and what do they show?
- ESR- elevated
- CRP-elevated
- FBC- Normocytic anaemia
- ESR quickest
What sort of anaemia is present in GCA?
normocytic anaemia
What investigations are done for GCA after management?
Temporal artery biopsy
What does temporal artery biopsy show in GCA?
focal granulomatous inflammation
What investigations are done for PMR and the results?
- ESR: elevated
2. CRP: elevated
What is the management of GCA?
- High dose methylprednisolone if blindness starting
2. OR just normal prednisolone is suspected
What is the management of PMR?
- Rapid response to steroids within a week usually
2. Give bone protection as steroids needed for at least 2 years
