Epidemiological and clinical features of giant cell arteritis in Tunisia

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic vasculitis of the elderly that could result in vision loss or even be life threatening. Unlike western countries, this disease is considered exceptional in Tunisia.

The aims of this study were to determine epidemiological and clinical features of GCA in Tunisian population and to identify management difficulties.

A multicentric study of 96 patients in whom GCA was diagnosed between 1986 and 2003. All patients fulfilled the ACR criteria for classification of GCA.

The majority of cases (77%) were diagnosed since 1994. The male/female ratio was 0.88 and the mean age at the time of diagnosis was 70.8+/-7.7 years. Clinical features were characterized by gradual onset in 64.4% of cases. The most frequent clinical manifestations were headache (91.7%), abnormalities in temporal arteries (85.4%), severe ischemic manifestations (80.2%), constitutional symptoms (75%), and polymyalgia rheumatica (56.3%). Biological inflammatory syndrome was noted in all patients. Temporal artery biopsy established histological diagnosis in 73% of cases. All patients were treated by corticosteroids. Remission was obtained in 45.6%. Relapses occurred in 40.4% of cases and 30 patients were still receiving corticosteroids at the time of study. Four patients died and irreversible ischemic complications were noted in 15.6% of cases. Steroid adverse effects occurred in 56 patients.

GCA is not exceptional to Tunisia. It occurs amongst elderly patients with no female predominance noticed. Clinical features are similar to those reported in other series.