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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Albumins, Alkaline Phosphatase, Biopsy, Needle, Blindness, Blood Sedimentation, C-Reactive Protein, Female, Giant Cell Arteritis, Glucocorticoids, Humans, Ischemia, Leukocyte Count, Male, Platelet Count.
user
Is the erythrocyte sedimentation rate associated with the development of visual complications in biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis? Context: To investigate the potential association between levels of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and specific clinical features of giant cell arteritis (GCA), in particular, visual loss, in a series of consecutive patients diagnosed with GCA at the reference hospital for a well-defined population. The case records of all biopsy-proven GCA patients diagnosed at the Department of Medicine of Hospital Xeral-Calde (Lugo, Northwest Spain) between 1981 and 2006 were reviewed. Clinical information and laboratory data including ESR at the time of disease diagnosis were assessed. Only 10 (3.6%) of the 273 patients had ESR <50 mm/h. Significant differences in the frequency of visual ischemic complications according to different levels of ESR were observed (P = 0.01), mainly due to an increased frequency of visual ischemic events in patients with ESR between 70 and 100/h at the time of disease diagnosis. Twenty-five (21%) of 120 individuals with ESR values ranging between 70 and 100 mm/h experienced permanent visual loss compared with only 10 (7%) of the remaining 153 patients (P = 0.0005; OR: 3.76 [95% CI: 1.73-8.19]). An ESR between 70 and 100 mm/h was the best predictor of visual ischemic complications (OR = 2.29 [95% CI: 1.16-4.55]; P = 0.03) and irreversible visual loss (OR = 3.58 [95% CI: 1.51-8.49]; P = 0.004).
assistant
The results from this study show an increased risk of severe ocular complications in biopsy-proven GCA patients presenting with an ESR between 70 and 100 mm/h. Prompt initiation of corticosteroid therapy and close follow-up of these patients is recommended to minimize the risk of irreversible visual loss. Final Decision: yes