What is Giant Cell Arteritis/ Temporal Arteritis?
This is a disease characterised by inflammation (“itis”) of large and medium sized blood vessels (“arteries”), with infiltration of small and large blood cells (“giant cell”). An alternative name for this condition is “Temporal Arteritis” as the blood vessels in the temple area of the head are commonly affected. Who are affected? This condition is one of the commonest forms of vasculitis, affecting one or two persons per 10,000 people. This condition is more commonly seen in older patients, and is seldom diagnosed below the age of 50. For some unknown reason, this condition affects the white population almost exclusively. What are the symptoms? Symptoms of fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss and fever are often found. Headache is a prominent feature of this disease due to inflammation of the temporal vessels. Giant cell arteritis is closely associated with the “polymyalgia rheumatica syndrome”, which causes general weakÂness, pai n and stiffness in muscles and joi nts. The weakness
