Clinical characteristics of consecutive patients referred to a fast-track clinic for suspected GCA
Previous year period (21 February 2019–30 April 2019) | COVID-19 period (21 February 2020–30 April 2020) | |
Number of patients referred for suspected GCA | 16 | 4 |
Female, n (%) | 13 (81) | 4 (100) |
Age (years), mean±SD | 71±10 | 79±6 |
Duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis (days), median (IQR) | 8 (6–28) | 31 (14–36) |
GCA-related clinical manifestations | ||
Headache, n (%) | 13 (81) | 3 (75) |
Visual loss, n (%) | 1 (6) monolateral | 2 (50) bilateral |
Jaw or tongue claudication, n (%) | 6 (37) | 1 (25) |
Scalp tenderness, n (%) | 4 (25) | 0 |
PMR or MSK symptoms, n (%) | 10 (63) | 3 (75) |
Constitutional symptoms, n (%) | 7 (44) | 2 (50) |
GCA, giant cell arteritis; MSK, musculoskeletal symptoms; n, number; PMR, polymyalgia rheumatica.