Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an immune mediated inflammatory disease of the large vessels, most commonly affecting cranial arteries but the aorta and its branches can also be involved. The inflammation initiates in the inner layers of the artery, eventually progressing to transmural inflammation, vessel occlusion and then resultant ischaemia. Patients can present with inflammatory and/ or ischaemic symptoms.
GCA is the most common systemic vasculitis among adults. Prevalence increases with age, and it is highest in people with Northern European ancestry, ranging from 18 to 29 cases for 100,000 people over the age of 50.1 It is estimated that the occurrence is likely to increase with ageing population, and it is projected that over 3 million people will be affected by GCA by 2050.2 Whilst the prevalence is highest among patients of northern European ancestry, it is important to note that patients of any ethnic background can be affected.
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