Giant cell arteritis: epidemiological clues to its pathogenesis and an update on its treatment.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a chronic systemic vasculitis with a marked female predominance and restriction to old age. The disease process distinctly targets large and medium sized arteries, preferentially the aorta and its extracranial branches. Morphological observations indicate that the age and sex distribution of GCA is related to the occurrence of degenerative changes in the arterial wall. GCA is not a truly infectious vasculitis. However, an infection might be a triggering factor. Different centres report an increase in GCA incidence, but annual fluctuations have not been shown to be statistically significant. However, significant seasonal variations have been observed by several groups. The mortality is not increased in adequately treated patients. Although, alternative steroid-sparing agents have been proposed, corticosteroids are still the first treatment choice.