Giant cell arteritis / temporal arteritis – Adult
Giant cell arteritis / temporal arteritis – Adult
Emergency and immediate referrals
Referral to Emergency Department:
Immediate Referral (seen within 7 days):
- Temporal tenderness, jaw claudication, blurring of vision
- Burning or craniofacial pain or tenderness or superficial temporal arteries refer for immediate review.
To contact the relevant service, please refer to HealthPathways Acute Rheumatology Assessment (seen within 7 days)
Presenting symptoms |
- New onset of headaches (usually unilateral)
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Tender scalp or temples
- Sudden vision loss, blurred or double vision
- Jaw claudication
- Dizziness
- Poor coordination and balance
- Persistent sore throat
- Dysphagia
- Fevers and sweats
- Dry cough
|
Mandatory referral information (referral will be returned if this information is not included) |
History
- Relevant history:
- Age of onset of symptoms greater than 50 years,
- Onset and time since onset of headaches, visual disturbance, jaw claudication, scalp tenderness
- Details of treatments including steroid exposure
Investigations
|
Highly desirable referral information |
- Most recent optometrist or ophthalmologist reports/results if available and where providing it will not delay care
- Temporal artery biopsy histology
- Bone mineral density
- Other screening previously performed including HepB, HepC, HIV, QuantiFERON Gold (QFG)
- PET CT, CXR or US
|
Indicative triage category
Indicative triage category |
Cat 1
Appointment within 30 days |
-
Suspected new onset and/or active giant cell arteritis
|
Cat 2
Appointment within 90 days |
- No defined category 2 criteria
|
Cat 3
Appointment within 365 days |
- No defined category 3 criteria
|
Useful Information for referring practitioners
More information
Email: DOHSpecialistRAC@health.wa.gov.au