Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) Overview

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Learn About Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)

What is the definition of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)?
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a form of vasculitis, a group of disorders that cause inflammation of blood vessels. GCA most commonly affects the arteries of the head (especially the temporal arteries, located on each side of the head), but arteries in other areas of the body can also become inflamed. The inflammation causes the arteries to narrow, resulting in poor blood flow. Symptoms when arteries in the head are involved may include a throbbing headache on one side or the back of the head, tenderness of the scalp, flu-like symptoms, and/or problems with eyesight. Symptoms when other arteries are involved depend on the location of those arteries. The cause of GCA is still being studied, but it is thought to involve the immune system mistakenly attacking the artery walls. Several genetic and environmental factors may increase a person's risk to develop GCA. GCA may develop with or after another inflammatory disorder known as polymyalgia rheumatica.
What are the alternative names for Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)?
  • Giant cell arteritis
  • Arteritis cranialis
  • Arteritis temporalis
  • Cranial arteritis
  • GCA
  • Horton's arteritis
  • Horton's giant cell arteritis
  • Horton's temporal arteritis
  • Horton’s disease
  • Horton’s syndrome
  • Temporal arteritis
Who are the top Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) Local Doctors?
Miguel A. Gay-Gonzalez
Elite in Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
Miguel A. Gay-Gonzalez
Elite in Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
Miguel A. Gay-Gonzalez
Rheumatology Div, 
Santander And Univ. Of The Witwatersrand, ZA 

Miguel Gay-Gonzalez practices in Santander And Univ. Of The Witwatersrand, South Africa. Mr. Gay-Gonzalez is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA). His top areas of expertise are Vasculitis, Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), Temporal Arteritis, Lung Transplant, and Kidney Transplant.

Eric L. Matteson
Elite in Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
Dr. Eric L. Matteson
Rheumatology
Elite in Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
Dr. Eric L. Matteson
Rheumatology
200 1st St Sw, 
Rochester, MN 
507-284-2511
Languages Spoken:
English
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Eric Matteson is a Rheumatologist in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Matteson is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA). His top areas of expertise are Rhizomelic Pseudopolyarthritis, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), Temporal Arteritis, and Tissue Biopsy.

 
 
 
 
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Elite in Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
Dr. Kenneth J. Warrington
Rheumatology
Elite in Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)
Dr. Kenneth J. Warrington
Rheumatology

Mayo Clinic

Rochester, MN 
507-255-5123
Languages Spoken:
English
See accepted insurances
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Kenneth Warrington is a Rheumatologist in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Warrington is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA). His top areas of expertise are Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), Temporal Arteritis, Vasculitis, Takayasu Arteritis, and Tissue Biopsy. Dr. Warrington is currently accepting new patients.

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What are the latest Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) Clinical Trials?
Studies of the Natural History, Pathogenesis, and Outcome of Idiopathic Systemic Vasculitis
Studies of the Natural History, Pathogenesis, and Outcome of Idiopathic Systemic Vasculitis
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: October 07, 2025

Background: \- Vasculitis is a group of diseases that inflame and damage blood vessels and tissue. It can cause many medical problems. Few tests can diagnose the disease, and none can reliably predict a relapse. Researchers want to study people s genes and follow people over time to see how the disease affects them.

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A Multi-centre, Randomised, Double-blinded, Placebo Controlled 16-weeks Study to Compare the Effect of Hydrocortisone and Placebo in Patients With Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)/ Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) With Patient-reported Symptoms of Adrenal Insufficiency After Cessation of Glucocorticoid Treatment.
A Multi-centre, Randomised, Double-blinded, Placebo Controlled 16-weeks Study to Compare the Effect of Hydrocortisone and Placebo in Patients With Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)/ Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) With Patient-reported Symptoms of Adrenal Insufficiency After Cessation of Glucocorticoid Treatment.
Who is this study for: Patients with partial adrenal insufficiency after cessation of glucocorticoid treatment
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: September 22, 2025
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Drug: Hydrocortisone
Study Phase: Phase 4

Summary: Cortisol, a glucocorticoid (GC) hormone secreted from the adrenal glands, is essential for survival. Cortisol also possesses anti-inflammatory actions and GC formulations (prednisolone) are used to treat many inflammatory diseases and conditions. Indeed, three percent of the Danish population (≈ 180.000 individuals) redeems at least one prescription of synthetic GC per year and at least 20,000 pat...

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Published Date: May 02, 2022
Published By: Genetic and Rare Diseases Informnation Center