Eye and Brain (Jan 2019)
Giant cell arteritis: early diagnosis is key
Abstract
Iyza F Baig,1 Alexis R Pascoe,1 Ashwini Kini,2 Andrew G Lee2–9 1McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Houston, TX, USA; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA; 3Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; 4Department of Ophthalmology, 5Department of Neurology, 6Department of Neurosurgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston, TX, USA; 7The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; 8The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; 9Ophthalmology, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA Abstract: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an inflammatory vasculitis typically affecting elderly that can potentially cause vision loss. Studies have demonstrated that early recognition and initiation of treatment can improve visual prognosis in patients with GCA. This review addresses the benefits of early diagnosis and treatment, and discusses the available treatment options to manage the disease.Keywords: giant cell arteritis, imaging in GCA, laboratory values in GCA, steroids in GCA, steroid-sparing agents in GCA
