Illness Burden and Unmet Patient Needs in Giant Cell Arteritis: Current State and Future Prospects.

Abstract

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common form of primary systemic vasculitis and primarily affects large- and medium-sized vessels. Diagnostic delay can occur from underrecognition of symptoms, and optimal treatment duration remains unclear. Patients with GCA can experience significant burdens related to adverse outcomes of GCA, including risk of vision impairment/loss and stroke, which can result in permanent disability. Glucocorticoids, which remain the first line of treatment, are often associated with adverse effects, and emerging glucocorticoid-sparing agents represent an important option for the treatment of this relapsing disease. Moreover, GCA is a costly illness in terms of both direct healthcare spending and healthcare resource utilization. This narrative review summarizes the clinical, psychosocial, and economic burdens of illness as well as the unmet needs of patients with GCA in terms of diagnosis, treatment, and healthcare resource utilization and spending. Reducing delays in diagnosis and making informed treatment decisions that optimize patient response, while minimizing exposure to potential adverse events, can lead to significant improvement in patient care and outcomes.