Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0039483 (giant cell arteritis)
 3,204 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

An 84-year-old woman was admitted to Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Geriatric Hospital because of knee pain, anemia and hyperglobulinemia. On physical examination, evidence of arthritis was observed in both knees. Nodular temporal arteries were palpable with hypertrophy and weak pulsation. The urine was normal except that the sediment contained 20-30 with blood cells per high power view. Laboratory data showed raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 150 mm per hour, elevation of beta and gamma globulin and mild anemia. Although the levels of serum IgG, IgA were markedly increased, there was no monoclonal component on immunoelectrophoresis. Light microscopy examination of an aspirated specimen of bone marrow showed slight hypocellularity and mild plasmacytosis. However, atypical plasma cells were not observed. Radiographs of the knee showed narrowing of the joint space and calcification of articular cartilage and meniscus. Biopsy of the left temporal artery revealed typical findings of giant cell arteritis. The administration of prednisolone resulted in rapid normalization of laboratory findings. But her arthralgia, which had been relieved by analgesics after admission, was worsened if she took prednisolone without analgesic. Therefore, analgesics were given again with prednisolone for the control of the arthralgia.
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PMID:[A case of temporal arteritis associated with marked elevation of serum IgG, IgA levels]. 279 81

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a periarticular rheumatic condition characterized by pain and stiffness, primarily in the neck, shoulders, hips, and pelvic girdle. Temporal arteritis (TA) or giant cell arteritis, the most common primary vasculitis in older adults, is found in approximately 10% to 30% of people who have PMR. Left untreated, TA can result in sudden, irreversible blindness. Geriatric nurses need to familiarize themselves with these disorders to accurately assess and manage people with them.
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PMID:Assessment and management of polymyalgia rheumatica in older adults. 1141 Jul 67

Temporal artery biopsy (TAB) is often recommended for patients suspected of having temporal arteritis. The sensitivity of TAB varies widely and is dependent upon a number of factors (e.g., number of biopsy specimens, corticosteroid pretreatment, specimen length). The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical utility of TAB in patients who are suspected of having giant cell arteritis (GCA). A retrospective review of patients who underwent TAB at Spectrum Health from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2007 was performed. Forty-seven patients, ranging in age from 25 to 87 years (mean: 70.7 years), underwent 53 TABs. Females accounted for 72.3 per cent of the subjects. Positive biopsy results showing signs of GCA were obtained in 38.3 per cent of patients. Of patients who underwent biopsy, 78 per cent could have been excluded from the procedure based upon individual diagnostic criteria. Positive and negative biopsies had average lengths of 1.84 cm and 1.29 cm, respectively (P < 0.05). In the community hospital setting, patients suspected of having GCA are frequently recommended to undergo unnecessary TAB. We advocate for more careful selection of patients to undergo this diagnostic surgical procedure. In cases where TAB is needed, we recommend a biopsy length of > 2 cm to increase the accuracy of diagnosis.
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PMID:Temporal artery biopsy as a means of diagnosing giant cell arteritis: is there over-utilization? 2194 24