Table 1 Demographic and clinical features of the giant cell arteritis cohort at baseline

Age, years, mean ± SD (n = 139)

73.8 ± 7.7

Female patients, % (n = 139)

66.9

Weight, kg, mean ± SD (n = 139)

50.9 ± 10.4

GCA ACR classification criteria, % (n = 139)

78.4

Modified GCA classification criteria, % (n = 139)

99.3

TAB performed, % (n = 139)

61.9

TAB positive, % (n = 139)

50.4

Imaging performed, % (n = 139)

96.6

Imaging positive, % (n = 139)

52.5

Signs and symptoms of cranial lesions, % (n = 139)

77.7

 Headache, % (n = 139)

61.2

 Abnormal temporal artery, % (n = 139)

59.0

 Jaw claudication, % (n = 139)

36.0

 Visual disturbance, % (n = 139)

23.7

 Visual loss, % (n = 139)

4.3

Signs and symptoms^a of LVL, % (n = 139)

25.9

 Neck, % (n = 136)

10.3

 Upper limbs, % (n = 135)

11.8

 Lower limbs, % (n = 133)

3.0

 Chest or abdominal bruit, % (n = 131)

9.2

Fever, % (n = 137)

32.1

Constitutional symptoms, % (n = 132)

75.8

Polymyalgia rheumatica, % (n = 139)

41.7

CRP, mg/dl, median (interquartile range) (n = 139)

7.2 (3.3–11.2)

Albumin, mg/dl, mean ± SD (n = 124)

3.1 ± 0.6

Ischemic heart disease, % (n = 138)

7.2

Cerebrovascular disease, % (n = 135)

14.1

Chronic lung disease, % (n = 137)

8.0

Hypertension, % (n = 138)

44.9

Diabetes mellitus, % (n = 138)

21.0

Hyperlipidemia, % (n = 138)

25.3

Osteoporosis, % (n = 121)

21.5

Dementia, % (n = 137)

1.5