High white blood cell count in patients with giant cell arteritis predicts an increased risk of stenosis in upper extremity arteries

Stenosis of the arteries of the upper extremities occurs in 1329% of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA).1,,3 Endovascular therapy has been reported to be successful, especially prior to extensive vessel obstruction. Until now, no predictive parameter is known for the early identification of persons at risk of ischaemic disease of the upper limbs. Therefore, we retrospectively analysed laboratory markers of inflammation in 105 patients (86 women, mean age 65.2 years) from a tertiary rheumatological care centre with a clinical diagnosis of GCA. Fulfilment of the American College of Rheumatology criteria was required, except for patients with typical stenosis of the arm arteries, older than 50 years of age at disease onset. Laboratory findings were obtained from the primary care physician or the medical centre consulted at disease onset, preceding anti-inflammatory therapy.