VPPRN Patient-Powered Research
Giant Cell (Temporal) Arteritis (GCA)
Every 6 months, we ask our VPPRN community to check-in and tell us how they are doing. The graphs below reflect the scores/ratings of patients with giant cell (temporal) arteritis (GCA) compared to the Network as a whole. Here is what we learned about flares, fatigue, pain, symptoms of vasculitis, and members’ current state of vasculitis at the July 2024 check-in:
- Compared to patients with other forms of vasculitis, patients with GCA reported the following:
- less reported flares
- similar scores for fatigue
- higher percentage of patients with GCA reporting no symptoms over the past 28 days
- similar scores for pain
- a similar percentage of patients with GCA reported their vasculitis as currently active.
- Compared to patients with other forms of vasculitis, patients with GCA reported the following:
If you have concerns about your health scores, please discuss with your rheumatologist or primary care provider.
FLARES and VASCULITIS
Flare Reporting: At the July 2024 check-in, 17% of patients with GCA reported a flare in the past 6 months. This is less than the 24% in the VPPRN community who reported a flare.
Patients with GCA
Entire VPPRN Community
FATIGUE and VASCULITIS
Fatigue: At the July 2024 check-in, 13% of patients with GCA reported no fatigue, on average, in the past 6 months. This is similar to the 12% in the VPPRN community who reported no fatigue within the same timeframe.
Patients with GCA
Entire VPPRN Community
SYMPTOMS of VASCULITIS
Symptoms of Vasculitis: At the July check-in, patients with GCA scored their symptoms of vasculitis lower over the past 28 days. 32% of patients with GCA reported no symptoms of vasculitis, compared to the 24% in the VPPRN community.
Patients with GCA
Entire VPPRN Community
PAIN and VASCULITIS
Pain: 30% of patients with GCA reported no pain at the July 2024 check-in (score = 0), on average. This is similar to the 28% who reported no pain in the Network.
Patients with GCA
Entire VPPRN Community
MEMBERS' CURRENT STATE OF VASCULITIS
Members’ Current State of Vasculitis: 17% of patients with GCA reported their vasculitis as active. This is similar to the 23% reported in the Network.
Patients with GCA
Entire VPPRN Community
![Logo for Vasculitis Awareness Month (VAM), observed in May. The logo features bold letters 'VAM [may]' with the words 'Vasculitis Awareness Month' beneath, and a stylized circular symbol composed of overlapping white rings to the left.](https://vasculitisfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/VAM-logo-All-White-1024x349.png){kind=logo}