Giant Cell Arteritis, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, and Takayasu's Arteritis

Giant cell arteritis affects adults older than 50 years. The most common manifestations of giant cell arteritis are constitutional symptoms, headache, jaw claudication, and visual symptoms. Almost all untreated patients have an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The diagnosis of giant cell arteritis is usually confirmed by temporal artery biopsy. Early treatment of giant cell arteritis can prevent blindness. Polymyalgia rheumatica can occur by itself or with giant cell arteritis. Polymyalgia rheumatica responds to prednisone, 10 to 20 mg/day, whereas giant cell arteritis requires an initial dose of prednisone of approximately 60 mg/day. Anti-IL-6 therapy with tocilizumab is approved in the United States for treating giant cell arteritis. Takayasu's arteritis most frequently affects the aorta and its major branches in young women.