Large-vessel involvement in giant cell arteritis: a population-based cohort study of the incidence-trends and prognosis

Objectives To evaluate incidence-trends and timing of large-vessel (LV) manifestations in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA), and to examine the influence of LV manifestations on survival. Methods A population-based incident cohort of patients diagnosed with GCA between 1950 and 2004 was used. LV involvement was defined as large-artery stenosis or aortic aneurysm/dissection that developed in the 1 year before GCA diagnosis or at any time...