Table 1

Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics included in the SPTPS of the patients in our cohort

GCA (n=97)Non-GCA (n=200)P value
Age (years)Median ±IQR: 79±12

  • ≤ 49: 0 (0%)

  • 50–60: 2 (2.1%)

  • 61–65: 7 (7.2%)

  • ≥ 66: 88 (90.7%)

Median ±IQR: 76±14

  • ≤ 49: 4 (2%)

  • 50–60: 20 (10%)

  • 61–65: 18 (9%)

  • ≥ 66: 158 (79%)

0.032*
SexFemale: 53 (54.6%)
Male: 44 (45.4%)		Female: 152 (76%)
Male: 48 (24%)		<0.001*
Onset of symptoms (weeks)<6: 38 (39.2%)
6–12: 25 (25.8%)
12–24: 15 (15.5%)
>24: 14 (14.4%)		<6: 81 (40.5%)
6–12: 33 (16.5%)
12–24: 19 (9.5%)
>24: 63 (31.5%)		0.006*
CRP (mg/L)Median ±IQR: 46±81.6

  • 0–5: 9 (9.3%)

  • 6–10: 10 (10.3%)

  • 11–25: 12 (12.4%)

  • ≥ 25: 63 (64.9%)

Median ±IQR: 10.2±27.5

  • 0–5: 73 (36.5%)

  • 6–10: 27 (13.5%)

  • 11–25: 35 (17.5%)

  • ≥ 25: 56 (28%)

<0.001*
Headache71 (73.2%)104 (52%)<0.001*
Polymyalgia rheumatica47 (48.5%)66 (33%)0.010*
Constitutional symptomsTotal: 35 (36.1%)

  • Single: 28 (28.9%)

  • Combination: 6 (6.2%)

Total: 38 (19%)

  • Single: 30 (15%)

  • Combination: 8 (4%)

0.001*
Ischaemic symptoms40 (41.2%)48 (24%)0.002*
Visual signs12 (12.4%)12 (6%)0.055
Temporal artery abnormalities on examinationTotal: 23 (23.8%)

  • Tenderness: 9 (9.3%)

  • Thickening: 9 (9.3%)

  • Pulse loss: 5 (5.2%)

Total: 17 (8.5%)

  • Tenderness: 12 (6%)

  • Thickening: 4 (2%)

  • Pulse loss: 2 (1%)

0.002*
Extracranial artery abnormalities on examinationTotal: 4 (4.1%)

  • Thickening: 1 (1%)

  • Bruit: 1 (1%)

  • Pulse loss: 3 (3.1%)

Total: 0 (0%)

  • Thickening: 0 (0%)

  • Bruit: 0 (0%)

  • Pulse loss: 0 (0%)

0.011*
Cranial nerve palsy1 (1%)2 (1%)1.000
Alternative diagnosisTotal: 19 (19.6%)

  • Infection: 5 (5.2%)

  • Cancer: 13 (13.4%)

  • Systemic rheumatic disease: 9 (9.3%)

  • Head and neck pathology: 1 (1%)

  • Other: 3 (3.1%)

Total: 77 (38.5%)

  • Infection: 26 (13%)

  • Cancer: 10 (5%)

  • Systemic rheumatic disease: 32 (16%)

  • Head and neck pathology: 9 (4.5%)

  • Other: 14 (7%)

0.001*

  • *Statistically significant value (p<0.05).

  • CRP, C reactive protein; GCA, giant cell arteritis; SPTPS, Southend Pre-Test Probability Score.