Giant Cell Arteritis as a Rheumatologic Emergency: Fast-track Diagnosis and Management

 

Release Date: November 15, 2018

Last Reviewed: November 15, 2018

Expiration Date: November 15, 2019

This activity is provided by Global Education Group.  Paradigm Medical Communications, LLC, is the educational partner.
                                                        

                                           

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Division of Rheumatology

Department of Medicine
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Assistant Director, The Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center
Baltimore, MD

 

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Division of Rheumatology

Department of Medicine

Harvard Medical School

Co-Director, Vasculitis and Glomerulonephritis Center

Harvard Medical School – Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, MA
 

David Glendenning Cogan Professor of Ophthalmology

Harvard Medical School

Director, Neuro-Ophthalmology Service

Co-director, Mobility Enhancement and Vision Rehabilitation Center of Excellence

Massachusetts Eye and Ear

Boston, MA

 

Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Baltimore, MD

 

This activity has been designed to address the educational needs of clinicians involved in the management of patients with GCA, including those consulted on diagnosis and management, and those who refer patients for consultation.

 

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a rare disease with presenting symptoms that are common to other diseases— headache and vision disturbances. The potential for rapid irreversible vision loss make GCA one of the few rheumatologic emergencies. Clinicians need to be aware of the symptoms of GCA, so they are prepared to consider GCA to make a rapid diagnosis and initiate appropriate therapy. Rheumatologists appear knowledgeable about GCA diagnosis; however, they are challenged evaluating for large-vessel involvement, remembering the key physical exam components, and the use of diagnostic imaging. Other clinicians, who do not routinely manage GCA, are less knowledgeable about both diagnosis and management of GCA. This educational activity includes case-based and expert-led review of the data supporting a reduction in diagnostic delay, best practices evaluating large-vessel disease, and education on new and emerging agents to prevent relapse in order to promote effective, efficient, and safe care for patients with GCA; it also includes a Fast Track evaluation tool to establish office processes to  help clinical staff identify patients in need of rapid evaluation for GCA, as well as a clinical diagnostic and monitoring Clinical Checklist that can be added to the electronic medical records to help guide evaluation of patients with GCA.

 

Upon proper completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:

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Global Education Group designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

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This activity is supported by an educational grant from Genentech, Inc.

 

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