Trends in the clinical presentation of temporal arteritis in Israel: reflection of increased physician awareness.

We have noticed significant changes in the clinical presentation in patients diagnosed with temporal arteritis in Israel between 1980-1992 compared to patients diagnosed prior to 1977. At the time of diagnosis 57% of the patients were older than 75 years, compared to only 23% within this age group in the previous period. There was an increase in the number of nonspecific and unusual presenting symptoms such as weakness, respiratory and neurological symptomatology, and a decreased proportion of patients presenting with the "classical" manifestation such as headaches, temporal tenderness and visual symptoms. The time from presentation to diagnosis was shortened significantly. It is suggested that these changes are largely due to the increasing awareness among physicians to the various manifestations of this conditions.