The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Is Associated with the Development of Visual Complications in Biopsy-Proven Giant Cell Arteritis

• Published in: Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism 2008-10, Vol.38 (2), p.116-123
• Main Authors: Lopez-Diaz, Maria J., MD, Llorca, Javier, MD, PhD, Gonzalez-Juanatey, Carlos, MD, PhD, Peña-Sagredo, Jose L., MD, PhD, Martin, Javier, MD, PhD, Gonzalez-Gay, Miguel A., MD, PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Albumins - analysis; Alkaline Phosphatase - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy, Needle; Blindness - etiology; Blood Sedimentation; C-Reactive Protein - analysis; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; erythrocyte sedimentation rate; Female; giant cell arteritis; Giant Cell Arteritis - blood; Giant Cell Arteritis - complications; Giant Cell Arteritis - drug therapy; Glucocorticoids - therapeutic use; Humans; Ischemia - etiology; Leukocyte Count; Male; Medical sciences; Ophthalmology; Platelet Count; predictors of permanent visual loss; Rheumatology; Sarcoidosis. Granulomatous diseases of unproved etiology. Connective tissue diseases. Elastic tissue diseases. Vasculitis; Vision disorders; visual ischemic complications
• ISSN: 0049-0172; 1532-866X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2007.10.014

Objectives To investigate the potential association between levels of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and specific clinical features of giant cell arteritis (GCA), in particular, visual loss, in a series of consecutive patients diagnosed with GCA at the reference hospital for a well-defined population. Methods The case records of all biopsy-proven GCA patients diagnosed at the Department of Medicine of Hospital Xeral-Calde (Lugo, Northwest Spain) between 1981 and 2006 were reviewed. Clinical information and laboratory data including ESR at the time of disease diagnosis were assessed. Results Only 10 (3.6%) of the 273 patients had ESR