Effect of prior steroid treatment on temporal artery biopsy findings in giant cell arteritis.

AIM: To examine the effect of up to 6 weeks of corticosteroid treatment on the positive temporal artery biopsy rate in giant cell arteritis (GCA).

METHODS: Prospective comparative clinical study of 11 patients meeting the American College of Rheumatology criteria for diagnosis of GCA. Patients underwent temporal artery biopsy within 1 week, at 2-3 weeks, or after 4 weeks of corticosteroid treatment.

RESULTS: Overall, nine of 11 (82%) patients had positive temporal artery biopsies. Six of seven (86%) biopsies performed after 4 or more weeks of steroid treatment were positive.

CONCLUSION: Temporal artery biopsy is useful several weeks after institution of steroids.