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Liver involvement in giant cell arteritis

Y Ilan1, E Ben-Chetrit

  • 1Division of Medicine Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.

Clinical Rheumatology
|June 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) can affect liver function, often presenting as cholestatic liver injury. Steroid treatment typically resolves these liver test abnormalities in GCA patients.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Medicine
  • Hepatology
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic vasculitis affecting large and medium-sized arteries, predominantly in individuals over 50.
  • Hepatic involvement is a recognized, though less common, manifestation of GCA.
  • Liver function abnormalities can be the sole presenting feature or accompany typical GCA symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and pattern of liver involvement in patients with GCA.
  • To describe the clinical course and response to treatment of hepatic dysfunction in GCA.
  • To review the existing literature on the association between GCA and liver test abnormalities.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 56 patients diagnosed with GCA over a 15-year period.
  • Analysis of liver function tests (LFTs) in patients with GCA.
  • Correlation of LFT abnormalities with GCA diagnosis and treatment response.

Main Results:

  • Twelve out of 56 GCA patients (21.4%) exhibited abnormal liver function tests.
  • The majority of LFT abnormalities were of a cholestatic pattern.
  • All patients with cholestatic liver injury showed complete resolution with corticosteroid therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Disturbed liver function tests, particularly cholestatic, are a significant finding in a subset of GCA patients.
  • Prompt diagnosis and treatment of GCA with corticosteroids are crucial for resolving hepatic manifestations.
  • Awareness of potential liver involvement is important for comprehensive management of GCA.

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