Temporal arteritis natural history, complications and prognosis

Temporal Arteritis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Temporal Arteritis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
X-ray
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
CT
MRI
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Temporal arteritis natural history, complications and prognosis On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Temporal arteritis natural history, complications and prognosis All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Temporal arteritis natural history, complications and prognosis
CDC on Temporal arteritis natural history, complications and prognosis
Temporal arteritis natural history, complications and prognosis in the news
Blogs on Temporal arteritis natural history, complications and prognosis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Temporal arteritis
Risk calculators and risk factors for Temporal arteritis natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Hamid Qazi, MD, BSc [2]

Overview

The symptoms of temporal arteritis usually develop in the fifth decade of life, and start with symptoms such as headache, fatigue, jaw claudication, and vision problems. Common complications of temporal arteritis include blindness, aortic aneurysm, stroke, death, and side effects from steroid or immune-suppressing medications. Depending on the extent of the vessels involved in temporal arteritis at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis may vary. However, the prognosis is generally regarded as poor. If left untreated, 2% of patients with temporal arteritis may lead to death by MI or stroke.

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

Natural History

• The symptoms of temporal arteritis usually develop in the fifth decade of life, and start with symptoms such as headache.[15,19](uptodate)
• Nervous system is affected in 30% of the patients of temporal arteritis; 14% have either mononeuritis or polyneuropathy, and 7% have transient ischemic attacks or strokes.[46]
• If left untreated, 2% of patients with temporal arteritis may lead to death by MI or stroke.[50]

Complications

• Common complications of temporal arteritis include:[47][48, 49, 19]
  • Blindness
  • Aortic aneurysm
  • Stroke
  • Death
  • Side effects from steroid or immune-suppressing medications

Prognosis

• Depending on the extent of the vessels involved in temporal arteritis at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis may vary. However, the prognosis is generally regarded as poor.