Changing Trends in Temporal Artery Biopsy Rates in Australia: A Nationwide Study Over 31 Years

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a large and medium vessel vasculitis that predominantly affects those greater than 70 and is one of the most common idiopathic systemic vasculitis. Permanent visual loss is one of the most feared complications of GCA and results from damage to the ophthalmic, retinal and ciliary arteries. Early diagnosis of GCA is vital to prevent permanent visual loss and maintain quality of life for patients.

Two population level datasets were used, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and Medicare Australia. Patients who had temporal artery biopsy (TAB) procedures between 1994 and 2024 were identified, and procedural trends were analysed over a 31-year period.

Data from the AIHW was available from 2000 to 2023, over which 51 290 patients had a TAB. Over this study period, there was an 85.5% increase in TAB procedures and negative binomial regression demonstrated a 0.7% annual increase in TAB incidence rates. Data from the Medicare dataset was available from 1994 to 2024, over which 31 122 patients had a TAB. Over this study period, TAB procedures showed a 0.6% relative increase, but negative binomial regression demonstrated a 0.8% annual decrease in TAB incidence rates.

This nationwide analysis of TAB trends in Australia over the past 31 years demonstrates divergent procedural trajectories between the AIHW and Medicare datasets. While TAB incidence increased slightly in the AIHW dataset, a decline was observed in the Medicare dataset.