title: [Giant-cell arteritis: update: diagnosis and therapy].
abstract: Giant-cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common form of vasculitis in patients over 50 years old. Loss of vision is the most common severe complication but involvement of extracranial arteries including the aorta is more frequent than previously assumed. The role of dendritic and T-cells indicates the presence of an antibody but a clear association with underlying infections has not yet been demonstrated. Even if the inflammation parameters in blood are mostly increased in the diagnosis of GCA, specific laboratory tests for the diagnosis of GCA are not available. Of the imaging procedures ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging and (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography can be useful to localize and estimate the extent of vascular involvement. Glucocorticoids are still the standard therapy of GCA, whereby the cumulative dose can possibly be reduced by additional methotrexate. In addition acetylsalicylic acid is recommended as prophylaxis against cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events as well as prophylaxis and therapy of accompanying osteoporosis.
authors.affiliation: Labor für Molekulare Biologie und Rheumatologie, Allgemeine Ambulanz und Rheumaambulanz, Univ.-Klinik für Innere Medizin I, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich. michael.schirmer@i-med.ac.at
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schirmer
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dejaco
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001766:Blindness / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal