Temporal Arteritis Demographics: Age, Gender, Ethnicity, and Risk Factors

Giant cell arteritis (GCA), or temporal arteritis, is a large-vessel vasculitis with distinct epidemiologic features:

Demographics

• Age: Almost exclusively >50 years; peak incidence 70–80; mean onset ~74 years
• Sex: Female-to-male ratio 2:1 to 3:1
• Ethnicity: Highest in Northern Europeans (especially Scandinavians); lower in African, Asian, Hispanic populations
• Geography: Highest rates in Scandinavia, Northern Europe, North America; lower near equator

Risk Factors

• Advanced age (strongest)
• Female sex
• Northern European ancestry
• Family history (first-degree relative with GCA or PMR)
• Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) – 15–20% of PMR patients develop GCA; 40–50% of GCA patients have PMR symptoms
• Other autoimmune conditions: SLE, RA (less consistent)
• Smoking (some studies)

Clinical Implication

High index of suspicion in older women of Northern European descent with new headache, scalp tenderness, jaw claudication, visual symptoms, or constitutional symptoms. Early steroids prevent blindness.