Giant Cell Arteritis | Risk Factors for Cranial Ischemic Complications

 

Cranial ischemic events in giant cell arteritis include:

(1) loss of vision

(2) stroke

(3) scalp necrosis

(4) tongue necrosis

 

Risk factors for a cranial ischemic event at presentation:

(1) history of transient cerebro-ophthalmic ischemic events

(2) male gender

(3) absence of systemic symptoms (fatigue; fever, anorexia; systemic symptoms protective)

 

Risk factors for a cranial ischemic event during followup:

(1) history of cranial ischemic event at presentation

(2) history of transient cerebro-ophthalmic ischemic events during followup

(3) failure to take low dose aspirin (low dose aspirin protective)

 

where:

• It may be interesting to see if a person taking low-dose aspirin for some other reason is protected at presentation.