Clinical and Immunogenetic Characterization of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) and Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

To be considered for this study, you generally need to be 50 years of age or older. You must also have a clear diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) or Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR). If you are joining the study when you are first suspected of having GCA, your doctor must believe GCA is the most likely reason for your symptoms.

It's important that you are willing and able to give your informed consent, which means you understand what the study involves and agree to take part voluntarily. You also need to be willing to share information about your ethnic background.

If you are under 50, you might still be considered for the study but only if your GCA has been confirmed by a biopsy and it's a very clear-cut case. The main reason someone would not be able to participate is if they are unable or unwilling to give their full informed consent.

This is an observational study, so you won't be given any new treatments. Instead, researchers will collect information from your existing medical records and potentially some new samples like blood. They will also ask you to provide information about your symptoms and how the condition affects your daily life.

The study involves categorising your GCA or PMR based on clinical features, imaging results, and lab tests. In some cases, genetic analysis (like looking at your DNA) might be performed. The researchers will also use patient-reported questionnaires to understand the impact of the disease and its treatments on your quality of life. The exact number of visits or duration of your participation isn't specified, but it will involve researchers collecting data at various points related to your condition.