n (%) | ≤ 64A
(n=195) | 65–79B
(n=617) | ≥80C
(n=192) | P value | Post hoc comparisons (with Bonferroni significant if p<0.017) |
Female | 152 (78) | 422 (68) | 137 (71) | 0.035 | A vs C 0.161; B vs C 0.475; A vs B 0.011 |
Cranial GCA | 68 (35) | 395 (64) | 148 (77) | <0.0001 | A vs C <0.0001; B vs C 0.001; A vs B <0.0001 |
LV-GCA | 127 (65) | 222 (36) | 44 (23) | ||
Ischaemic onset | 29 (15) | 149 (24) | 79 (41) | <0.0001 | A vs C <0.0001; B vs C <0.0001; A vs B 0.007 |
Cranial onset | 120 (62) | 487 (79) | 159 (83) | <0.0001 | A vs C <0.0001; B vs C 0.259; A vs B <0.0001 |
Systemic symptoms onset | 149 (77) | 386 (63) | 100 (52) | <0.0001 | A vs C <0.0001; B vs C 009; A vs B <0.0001 |
Median onset ESR (IQR) (mm/h) | 83 (60–102) | 76 (54–100) | 73 (56–97) | 0.299 | |
Median onset CRP (IQR) (mg/L) | 73.6 (38–120) | 61 (31–105.4) | 61.5 (30.5–99.5) | 0.0764 | |
Very elevated ESR/CRP onset | 120 (69) | 381 (67) | 116 (62) | 0.30 | |
Mean Hb | 11.5±1.6 | 11.8±1.5 | 11.6±1.5 | 0.161 | |
Initial GC to treat GCA>50 mg/day | 52 (28) | 100 (17) | 29 (15) | 0.002 | A vs C 0.004; B vs C 0.736; A vs B 0.001 |
Mean initial GC dose | 50.5±16.5 | 46.8±15.8 | 48.1±18.1 | 0.007 | A vs B <0.001; A vs C 0.011, B vs C 0.388 |
Treated with intravenous GC | 36 (23) | 87 (15) | 39 (22) | 0.018 | A vs C 0.793; B vs C 0.039; A vs B 0.021 |
Antiplatelet started for GCA | 32 (53) | 118 (43) | 37 (38) | 0.162 | |
Diagnosis confirmed on TAB | 50 (25) | 245 (40) | 84 (43) | <0.0001 | A vs C <0.0001; B vs C 0.355; A vs B <0.0001 |
Diagnosis confirmed on imaging | 144 (76) | 339 (60) | 95 (53) | <0.0001 | A vs C <0.0001; B vs C 0.117; A vs B <0.0001 |
LV imaging performed | 144 (76) | 314 (56) | 74 (41) | <0.0001 | A vs C <0.0001; B vs C 0.001; A vs B <0.0001 |
Clinical diagnosis only | 13 (7) | 110 (18) | 46 (24) | <0.0001 | A vs C <0.0001; B vs C 0.06; A vs B <0.0001 |
Symptoms duration (IQR), months | 1.12 (0–2.73) | 1.25 (0.53–2.5) | 0.99 (0.39–2.01) | 0.031 | A vs C 0–239; B vs C 0.007; A vs B 0.065 |
Follow-up duration (IQR), months | 60 (30–108) | 51 (24–96) | 47 (22–81) | na |
CRP, C reactive protein; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; GC, glucocorticoid; GCA, giant cell arteritis; LV, large vessel; na, not applicable; PMR, polymyalgia rheumatica; TAB, temporal artery biopsy.