The quest for a headache pattern in giant cell arteritis: A cohort study

Abstract

Aim: To help clinicians in the diagnostic approach of giant cell arteritis (GCA) by providing a better knowledge on headache patterns in GCA.  Methods: Cross-sectional data of a cohort of 30 known GCA patients regarding symptoms, clinical signs, laboratory and pathology data were collected retrospectively.  Results: Headache was experienced by the majority of our cohort (26/30; 87%) and the most common pattern reported was a continuous, unilateral pain centered in or around the temporal area (13/26; 50% of all headaches). Pain confined to the occiput or frontal areas of the head was rarely reported as well as migrainous or cluster-like headaches.  Conclusion: This data suggests that the headache pattern in GCA is heterogeneous, but that the most common pattern is a continuous, unilateral, temporal headache. Several other patterns were infrequently reported and these should question the clinical diagnosis of GCA. A large prospective study will be necessary to further elaborate these findings.