Vasculitis - specific diseases

Question 1

What is giant cell arteritis or GCA also known as

Answer 1

Cranial or temporal arteritis

Question 2

What size vessels does GCA predominantly affect?

Answer 2

Large vessels

Question 3

In which age group is GCA most common?

Answer 3

Elderly, consider takayasu’s if

Question 4

What is GCA associated with in >50% of cases?

Answer 4

Polymyalgia rheumatica PMR

Question 5

What are the symptoms of GCA?

Answer 5

• Headache
• temporal artery and scalp tenderness (e.g. when brushing hair)
• jaw claudication
• amaurosis fugax or sudden blindness (typically in one eye)

extra cranial:

• dyspnoea
• morning stiffness
• unequal or weak pulses