Steroid sensitive systemic disease with anaemia in the elderly: a manifestation of giant cell arteritis?
Allison, M.C.; Gough, K.R.
Postgraduate Medical Journal 61(716): 501-503
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0032-5473 PMID: 4011533 Document Number: 242555
Nine elderly patients presented with features of a multisystem disorder thought to be either a connective tissue disease of undefined type or disseminated malignancy. Associated features were a normochromic anemia, raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (or plasma viscosity) and raised serum alkaline phosphatase levels. None had symptoms to suggest either giant cell arteritis or polymyalgia rheumatica. Temporal artery biopsy was performed before trial of corticosteroid therapy in 4, and 2 showed giant cell arteritis. All 9 responded dramatically to corticosteroids and the anemias resolved. One died after 6 yr and the rest are well after 1 to 7 yr.