Neuro-Ophthalmologic Complications of Giant Cell Arteritis: Diagnosis and Treatment
Alexander S Fein1, Melissa W Ko2
1Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai St. Luke's-West, New York.
Insights
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a common large-vessel vasculitis affecting older adults, potentially causing vision loss. Tocilizumab shows promise for GCA remission and reducing steroid use.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Vascular Medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most prevalent vasculitis in individuals aged 50 and older.
- It affects large and medium-sized arteries, particularly cranial vessels, and can lead to visual impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diagnosis and management of Giant cell arteritis.
- To highlight current and emerging therapeutic strategies for GCA.
Main Methods:
- Diagnosis relies on American College of Rheumatology criteria, including clinical findings, biopsy, and inflammatory markers.
- Noninvasive imaging like Doppler ultrasound and MRI are increasingly utilized.
- Current treatment involves glucocorticoids, with newer agents showing efficacy.
Main Results:
- Tocilizumab, an anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, demonstrates significant potential for inducing GCA remission.
- This biologic therapy may reduce the need for long-term glucocorticoid treatment.
- Emerging therapies like abatacept and ustekinumab are under investigation.
Conclusions:
- Giant cell arteritis requires prompt diagnosis and management to prevent complications.
- Tocilizumab represents a significant advancement in GCA treatment, offering an alternative to prolonged steroid use.
- Further research into novel therapies will expand treatment options for GCA patients.
Abstract:
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common vasculitis in individuals 50 years or older, with a lifetime risk in the United States of 1% in women and 0.5% in men. It is a granulomatous disease that affects large- and medium-sized vessels, most notably the branches of the internal and external carotid arteries. GCA can cause both afferent and efferent visual manifestations, the most common being arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Diagnosis of GCA is made using criteria developed by the American College of Rheumatology, which include clinical signs, positive biopsy, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. C-reactive protein and platelet counts may be elevated in GCA, and noninvasive imaging modalities such as Doppler ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are now being used to aid in diagnosis. While glucocorticoids are the mainstay of treatment for GCA, new breakthrough treatments such as tocilizumab (an anti-IL-6 receptor antibody) have shown great promise in causing disease remission and reducing the cumulative glucocorticoid dose. Emerging therapies such as abatacept and ustekinumab are still being studied and may be of use to clinicians in the future.
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