Kinetics of Mononuclear Cell Subpopulations in the Peripheral Blood of Patients with Giant Cell Arteritis During the Acute Phase of the Disease: The Role of Steroids.

Background/aim: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) represents the most prevalent form of systemic vasculitis in the elderly, primarily affecting the temporal artery, the extracranial branches of carotid arteries, and the aorta. GCA is a highly heterogeneous disease in terms of clinical and histological findings, pathophysiology, and treatment selection strategies. The disease is highly responsive to glucocorticosteroids (GCs), but almost half of patients may relapse following GCs tapering.