Clinical Profile of Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica in a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India

TL;DR

This study describes the clinical features of giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica in a South Indian hospital, noting differences in age and gender distribution.

Contribution

The study provides insights into the clinical presentation and diagnostic outcomes of GCA and PMR in a South Indian population.

Findings

GCA patients were predominantly male and younger compared to global trends.

Temporal artery biopsy was diagnostic in 60% of GCA cases.

PMR patients had a higher proportion of women and lower mean ESR compared to GCA patients.

Abstract

Introduction

This study examines the clinical profiles of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) attending a tertiary care center in South India.

Methods

Electronic medical records of patients diagnosed with GCA and PMR from 2005 to 2021 were reviewed.

Results

There were 10 patients with GCA. The mean age of the patients was 64.9 (±8) years. There were six (60%) male patients and four (40%) female patients. Headache was seen in eight (80%) patients. Four (40%) had visual symptoms. Three (30%) had jaw claudication and temporal artery tenderness each. Only one (10%) patient with GCA had PMR. Temporal artery Doppler was performed in nine out of 10 cases, of which four (44.4%) were abnormal. A temporal artery biopsy was performed in five cases, of which three (60%) were diagnostic. The mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 85.2 (±29.5) mm, and the mean C-reactive protein (CRP) was 38.12 (±50.8) mg/dL. Treatment and follow-up were noted.

There were five patients with PMR. The mean age of the patients was 55.8 (±1.5) years. There were two (40%) men and three (60%) women. The mean ESR was 60 (±31.9) mm/hour. The mean CRP was 65 (±66.8) mg/L.

Conclusions

GCA and PMR are uncommon in this population. Patients with GCA in the region are younger, and the disease appears to be more common in men. The proportion of patients with PMR symptoms and those with a positive temporal artery biopsy was less common in our population. Most patients with GCA and PMR respond well to steroids and other immunosuppressants.

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