Giant cell arteritis in Mexican patients.

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Internal Medicine
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most prevalent primary systemic vasculitis globally.
• GCA appears infrequently in certain regions, including Latin America.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the clinical, laboratory, and treatment aspects of GCA within a Mexican Mestizo population.
• To contribute the largest reported series of GCA cases from Latin America.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of patient medical charts from 1989 to 2010.
• Inclusion criteria: diagnosis of GCA.

Main Results:

• Twenty-two GCA patients (18 female, 4 male) were identified, with a mean age of 73 years.
• Common symptoms included headache (90%), constitutional symptoms (86%), and polymyalgia rheumatica (59%).
• Significant cranial ischemic complications occurred in 32%, with amaurosis fugax in 36% and blindness in 27%.

Conclusions:

• GCA is underdiagnosed in Latin America; this study provides key insights into its presentation in Mexican Mestizos.
• While initial corticosteroid response was good, a higher incidence of visual impairment (amaurosis fugax, blindness) was observed compared to other populations.
• Relapses occurred in 10 patients, potentially linked to rapid steroid tapering, highlighting the need for careful treatment management.