Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a common, yet chronic and severe, form of vasculitis characterized by an inflammation of the blood vessels in scalp, neck and arms. Due to the variety of symptoms, complexity of the disease and its complications, people with GCA are often seen by several physicians including rheumatologists, neurologists and ophthalmologists. Though the cause of the disease remains unknown, much work is being done to understand the condition. How much do you know about GCA?
1. How many adults are affected by GCA in the US?1
GCA affects approximately 50,000 adults in the US
GCA affects approximately 200,000 adults in the US
GCA affects approximately 500,000 adults in the US
GCA affects approximately 1,000,000 adults in the US
GCA is the most common form of vasculitis in people over 50, affecting approximately 228,000 adults in the US.
2. Are men or women most commonly affected by GCA? 2
Women
Men
GCA is more common in women, who are affected approximately 3.7 times more often than men.
3. Can you identify the risk factors for GCA?3,4
All of the above
Age: older than 50 years
Female
Northern European descent
Smoking
Low body mass index
Early menopause
Only A & B
4. Which symptoms are commonly reported by GCA patients?5
Headache
Pain in the muscles of cheeks and tongue when chewing food
Blurring of vision
Fever
Weight loss
Achiness in the shoulder and hip muscles (polymyalgia rheumatica or PMR)
All of the above
5. GCA is a chronic and systemic disease. 6
False
True
6. What is the percentage of patients with GCA in whom permanent visual impairment occurs?2
5%
20%
50%
85%
Permanent visual loss may occur in as many as 20% of patients with GCA.
7. Which complication of GCA in large arteries can lead to an increased risk of death as compared to the general population?7
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)
Stroke
Myocardial infarction
Aortic aneurysm
Patients with GCA have an increased risk of death from the complications of aortic aneurysms.
8. What proportion of patients with GCA may experience a relapse of their symptoms in the first year of treatment?8
5%
20%
50%
85%
On average 50% of patients with GCA relapse in the first year and up to 80% relapse during the course of disease.
