Patient characteristics, disease manifestations and diagnostic findings of consecutive patients suspected of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) - retrospective experience from a fast-track clinic in Israel.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction/objective

Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) is relatively rare in the Middle East compared to Western countries. We aimed to retrospectively investigate the demographic, clinical, and imaging characteristics and the definitive diagnoses of patients referred to a GCA fast-track clinic (FTC) in the northwest of Israel with a mixed population of Arabs and Jews.

Methods

Demographic, clinical and laboratory data of patients referred to GCA-FTC between 2022 and 2024 were retrospectively collected. The Southend Pre-Test Probability Score for GCA (GCAPS) was calculated. Patients underwent color-Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) for the temporal and axillary arteries. The definitive diagnosis was determined by the treating rheumatologist based on clinical features, CDUS, additional ima

SUBMITTER: Haddad A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12858618 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature