Temporal arteritis natural history, complications and prognosis

The symptoms of temporal arteritis usually develop in the fifth decade of life, and start with symptoms such as headache, fatigue, jaw claudication, and vision problems. Common complications of temporal arteritis include blindness, aortic aneurysm, stroke, death, and side effects from steroid or immune-suppressing medications. Depending on the extent of the vessels involved in temporal arteritis at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis may vary. However, the prognosis is generally regarded as poor. If left untreated, 2% of patients with temporal arteritis may develop MI or stroke leading to death.

• The symptoms of temporal arteritis usually develop in the fifth decade of life, and start with symptoms such as headache.
• Nervous system is affected in 30% of the patients of temporal arteritis; 14% have either mononeuritis or polyneuropathy, and 7% have transient ischemic attacks or strokes.^[1]

• If left untreated, 2% of patients with temporal arteritis may lead to death by MI or stroke.^[2]

• Common complications of temporal arteritis include:^[3][4][5][6]
  • Blindness
  • Aortic aneurysm
  • Stroke
  • Death
  • Side effects from steroid or immune-suppressing medications

• Depending on the extent of the vessels involved in temporal arteritis at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis may vary. However, the prognosis is generally regarded as poor.

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