Utility of biomarkers and temporal artery biopsy length for investigating giant cell arteritis in Western Australia.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

To explore demographic characteristics, biopsy length, and blood biomarker performance in an Australian cohort of patients who have undergone temporal artery biopsy (TAB) for giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Methods

We extracted data on biopsies performed for GCA between January 2016 and December 2020 at public hospitals in Perth. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated for blood results. We evaluated the proportion of biopsies with post-fixation length less than 15 mm and explored several length associations.

Results

We retrospectively reviewed biopsies of 360 patients (65.8% female, mean age 72.1 years). Biopsy-positive patients were older (6.0 years, P < 0.01), and had higher C-reactive protein (CRP) (44.5 mg/L, P < 0.01), erythrocyt

SUBMITTER: Atlas IS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10098702 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature