title: Plasma viscosity in giant cell arteritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA) is based on criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. However, not all GCA patients meet these criteria and treatment may be delayed in individual patients, leading to an increased risk of complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  In an observational study, we investigated acute phase response markers in GCA and non-GCA patients matched for erythrocyte sedimentation rate and CRP levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma viscosity (PV) was significantly elevated in all GCA patients, but normal in non-GCA patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that PV may reflect a more specific component of the acute inflammatory response in patients with GCA. Analysis of PV may significantly contribute to a reliable diagnosis early in the course of the disease, particularly in patients with suspected GCA that do not meet current diagnostic criteria.
authors: Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. carsten.finke @ charite.de
authors: Carsten
authors: C
authors: Finke
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Schroeter
authors: Ulrich
authors: U
authors: Kalus
authors: Christoph J
authors: CJ
authors: Ploner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D001809:Blood Viscosity / Q000187:drug effects; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D054501:Group II Phospholipases A2; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D054501:Group II Phospholipases A2; D008775:Methylprednisolone