Correlation between infection and the onset of the giant cell (temporal) arteritis syndrome. A trigger mechanism?
OBJECTIVE
To assess for a correlation between infection and the onset of the giant cell (temporal) arteritis (GCA) syndrome.


METHODS
A matched case-control study design was used. Records of 100 patients with biopsy-proven GCA and 100 patients undergoing corrective surgery for hip fracture who did not have GCA were retrospectively reviewed. Non-GCA patients were sex-matched with GCA patients and were as old or older in age. The review period for GCA patients was up to 4 months before and during the occurrence of symptoms (median 2 months), and for non-GCA patients, it was up to 7 months before hip fracture. The prevalence of infection was compared using matched-pairs odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals.


RESULTS
Infections were 3 times more likely to occur in GCA patients than in non-GCA patients (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
A correlation between the occurrence of infection and the onset of GCA is strongly suggested. We speculate that infection may act as a trigger mechanism in the pathogenesis of this syndrome.
Russo
M G
MG
Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans, LA 70121.
Waxman
J
J
Abdoh
A A
AA
Serebro
L H
LH
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010482:Periapical Abscess / Q000150:complications; D015995:Prevalence; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications; D015854:Up-Regulation; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000150:complications; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology