Signs and Symptoms
It is more common in women than in men by a ratio of 2:1 and more common in those of Northern European descent, as well as those residing at higher latitudes. The mean age of onset is >55 years, and it is rare in those less than 55 years of age.
People present with:
- bruits
- fever
- headache
- tenderness and sensitivity on the scalp
- jaw claudication (pain in jaw when chewing)
- tongue claudication (pain in tongue when chewing) and necrosis
- reduced visual acuity (blurred vision)
- acute visual loss (sudden blindness)
- diplopia (double vision)
- acute tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- polymyalgia rheumatica (in 50%)
The inflammation may affect blood supply to the eye and blurred vision or sudden blindness may occur. In 76% of cases involving the eye, the ophthalmic artery is involved causing arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Loss of vision in both eyes may occur very abruptly and this disease is therefore a medical emergency.
Read more about this topic: Giant Cell Arteritis
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