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Revisiting the epidemiology of giant cell arteritis

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

 

  1. Rheumatology Division, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid; Department of Medicine and Psychiatry, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain; and Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Genomics Research Unit, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. miguelaggay@hotmail.com
  2. Rheumatology Division, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain.
  3. Rheumatology Division, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain.
  4. Rheumatology Division, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain.
  5. Rheumatology Division, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain.
  6. Rheumatology Division, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain.
  7. Rheumatology Division, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain.
  8. Rheumatology Division, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain.
  9. Rheumatology Division, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain.
  10. Rheumatology Division, Hospital Univ. de La Princesa, IIS-Princesa, Madrid; and Department of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain.

CER18596
2025 Vol.43, N°4
PI 0742, PF 0748
Reviews

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PMID: 40201967 [PubMed]

Received: 03/02/2025
Accepted : 24/02/2025
In Press: 08/04/2025
Published: 08/04/2025

Abstract

In this article, we review the epidemiology of giant cell arteritis (GCA), the most common form of vasculitis in older adults, which primarily affects large and medium-sized arteries. We discuss various epidemiological aspects of GCA, including its incidence, genetic factors, the potential role of seasonality, environmental influences, and infections as possible triggers. Additionally, we explore its association with polymyalgia rheumatica and the significance of major complications, such as the development of aneurysmal disease in GCA, and the decline in the frequency of visual loss. The impact of tocilizumab in reducing disease relapses has also been briefly discussed. Finally, we examine data on GCA-related mortality and outline future research directions and perspectives. As populations age, the incidence of GCA is expected to rise, necessitating greater physician awareness for early diagnosis. Advances in diagnostics and genetics may improve understanding and treatment, while research on environmental triggers could aid in prevention. Identifying biomarkers and developing safer therapies remain priorities, with fast-track GCA clinics playing a key role in reducing visual complications.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55563/clinexprheumatol/xc46ld

Rheumatology Article