Which clinical features and lab findings increase the likelihood of temporal arteritis?
Evidence-based answer Jaw claudication, diplopia, or a temporal artery abnormality on physical exam increase the likelihood of temporal arteritis. A finding of thrombocytosis in a patient with suspected temporal arteritis moderately increases the likelihood of this diagnosis (strength of recommendation: B, based on systematic reviews of retrospective cohort studies). Patients with temporal arteritis frequently complain of headaches, and often have mildly abnormal erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR), but neither of these findings helps in the diagnosis.
