Giant cell arteritis: epidemiology, diagnosis, prognosis

Abstract

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common systemic vasculitis affecting large vessels in subjects over 50 years old. This di­sease is associated with an increased risk of other inflammatory disea­ses and vascular conditions. Many studies and guidelines focus on sol­ving GCA-associated problems. The aim of this paper is to perform an analytical review, systematic generalization and discussion of evidence on various epidemiological GCA aspects, modern approaches and me­thods of its diagnosis as well as risk factors of unfavorable prognosis.

Keywords

• giant cell arteritis
• large vessel vasculitis
• epidemiology
• diagnosis
• prognosis