Temporal Arteritis

Make the Diagnosis: Temporal Arteritis

Prior Probability

Temporal arteritis is relatively rare, though the disease may be underdiagnosed.¹³ The prevalence increases with age, and it occurs more commonly among women and whites. One study found that, among white persons 50 years and older, the prevalence of temporal arteritis was 200 cases per 100 000; among persons older than 85 years, the prevalence was 1100 per 100 000.¹⁴ Most published series have been from northern Europe and the northern United States, but the disease has been observed worldwide.

Population for Whom Temporal Arteritis Disease Should Be Considered

Temporal arteritis should be considered in all adults aged 50 years and older with appropriate symptoms. Although prevalence varies by sex, race, and geographic locale, no single demographic factor among persons older than 50 years decreases the likelihood enough to exclude the diagnosis.

Detecting the Likelihood of Temporal Arteritis

One can estimate the likelihood of temporal arteritis by using either single features (and applying the summary LRs from our meta-analysis) or by using combinations of features, as established by the prediction rule of Younge et al¹ (see Table 49-8).

Reference Standard Tests

Temporal artery biopsy and histologic evaluation is the reference standard for the diagnosis of temporal arteritis. Other means of diagnosis have been ...