Final answer:
Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) should be suspected in a patient over 50 years old with new-onset temporal headache, jaw claudication, vision loss, or symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica. The condition is an inflammatory disease that affects the medium and large arteries, particularly the temporal arteries. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent severe complications such as permanent vision loss or stroke.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a patient over 50 years old presents with new-onset temporal headache, jaw claudication, vision loss, or symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica, a condition to suspect is Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA). GCA is an inflammatory disease that affects the medium and large arteries, commonly involving the temporal arteries. It can lead to severe complications such as permanent vision loss or stroke if left untreated.
Other symptoms of GCA include scalp tenderness, fatigue, weight loss, and anemia. The diagnosis is made by performing a thorough medical history, physical examination, blood tests to measure inflammation markers like erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), and a temporal artery biopsy to confirm the presence of inflammation.
Early diagnosis and treatment with high-dose corticosteroids greatly improve outcomes for patients with GCA, so it's crucial to promptly seek medical attention if these symptoms are present.