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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffAlthough the exact cause of giant cell arteritis isn't known, several factors can increase your risk, including:
- Age. Giant cell arteritis affects older adults almost exclusively — the average age at onset of the disease is 70, and it rarely occurs in people younger than 50.
- Sex. Women are about two times more likely to develop giant cell arteritis than men are.
- Geography. Although giant cell arteritis can affect anyone, people born in Northern European countries appear to have higher rates of giant cell arteritis. People of Scandinavian origin are particularly at risk.
- Polymyalgia rheumatica. People with the arthritic condition polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), which causes stiffness and aching in the neck, shoulders and hips, have an increased risk of giant cell arteritis. About 10 to 15 percent of people with polymyalgia rheumatica also have giant cell arteritis.
References
- Giant cell arteritis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec04/ch033/ch033e.html. Accessed May 25, 2010.
- Giant cell arteritis. American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/giantcellarteritis.asp. Accessed May 25, 2010.
- Unwin B, et al. Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis. American Family Physician. 2006;74:1547.
- Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Polymyalgia/default.asp. Accessed May 25, 2010.
- Salvarani C, et al. Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis. Lancet. 2008;372:234.
- Gonzalez-Gay MA, et al. Epidemiology of giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatic. Arthritis & Rheumatism. 2009;61:1454.
- Hunder GG. Treatment of giant cell (temporal) arteritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 25, 2010.
- Hunder GG. Diagnosis of giant cell (temporal) arteritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 25, 2010.
- Chang-Miller A (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 2, 2010.
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