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  • Ophthalmic Presentation of GCA in African Americans

    By Peggy Denny and edited by Deepak P. Edward, MD
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    Journal Highlights

    Eye
    Published online Sept. 16, 2016

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    Garrity et al.     compared the presenting characteristics of giant cell arteritis (GCA) between African Americans and Caucasians. The researchers found that the features were not markedly distinct, but they did identify a few significant differences.

    In this multicenter retrospective case series, neuro-ophthalmologists at 10 institutions provided data on biopsy-proven GCA in a total of 32 patients who self-identified as African Ameri­can. These cases were compared against a previously published cohort of 84 Caucasian patients with GCA. Charac­teristics that were compared included age, sex, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein level, ophthal­mic symptoms, and ischemic lesions.

    The researchers found that the mean age of the African American cohort was slightly lower than that of the Cauca­sian cohort (72.6 years vs. 76.1 years); notably, 1 of the African Americans was 46 years old, which is younger than any previously reported cases. There was no difference in sex distribution between the groups, with women comprising more than two-thirds of the patients in both groups.

    The most common presentation of giant cell arteritis in both groups was acute vision loss, though it was less common in African Americans (78% vs. 98% of Caucasians, p < .001). Eye pain was more common in African Americans (28% vs. 8% of Caucasians, p < .01). With regard to systemic signs and symptoms, headache, neck pain, and anemia were more frequent in African Americans, while jaw claudi­cation was noted to be less frequent (p values < .01, < .001, < .02, and < .03, respectively).

    The researchers concluded the simi­larities in presentation of GCA between African Americans and Caucasians out­number the differences. They recom­mended that GCA should be part of the differential diagnosis for any patient, regardless of race, who has suggestive signs or symptoms.

    The original article can be found here.