GIANT CELL ARTERITIS IN POLAND. HOW TO INCREASE DIAGNOSTIC RATE?

Sa？etak Background: Th e incidence rate of giant cell arteritis (GCA) in Department of Rheumatology, Internal Medicine and Geriatrics was raised 10 folds between 2000 and 2016. Objectives: In this presentation a practical question: ”how to increase GCA diagnostic rate?” was addressed, and illustrated with some clinical cases. Methods: GCA referrals to Department of Rheumatology in Szczecin were analyzed. Additionally GCA epidemiology in Poland was analyzed based on national insurance registry and compared with distribution of fast track GCA clinics. Results: Increase of diagnostic rate was due to mainly 2 factors: 1. Development of eff ective temporal / large vessels visualization techniques and introduction of fast track GCA diagnostics. 2. Better cooperation with ophthalmologist and other specialists (Table 1.) Visualization techniques introduced were temporal/large arteries Doppler ultrasound (fast track) sometimes supported by large arteries computed tomography, occasionally by temporal artery biopsy and marginally by PET-CT. Based on national insurance registry, that we’ve analyzed, GCA diagnostic rate in Poland improved in recent years. Th is seems to correlate with increased interest in GCA in some sites that organized fast track GCA clinics. Conclusions: Increase of GCA diagnostic rate requires further efforts. References: 1. Atlas of ultrasound application in large vessel arteritis: giant cell arteritis and Takayasu arteritis., Milchert M, Diamantopoulos A, Brzosko M; Wydawnictwo Pomorskiej Akademii Medycznej, Szczecin, 2015