Giant cell arteritis

Abstract

Whereas giant cell arteritis (GCA) was considered a rare disease 50 years ago, the generalized arteritis is now recognized as an important and significant cause of morbidity in elderly people; its cause and pathogenesis is poorly understood. Glucocorticosteroids are the drug of choice in all clinical types of GCA. In contrast to corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have no proven effect on vascular complications to GCA, and cannot be recommended.