AB0367 DIAGNOSTIC DELAY IN PATIENTS WITH GIANT CELL ARTERITIS

Background: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common systemic vasculitis in elderly which can lead to severe complications when treatment delayed. Therefore, timely diagnosis and start of essential. Several forms delay (consultation, referral diagnostic delay) contribute total towards GCA diagnosis. In Dutch healthcare system, not started by a general practitioner (GP). When suspected, GPs refer specialists. our hospital, fast track clinic (FTC) used expedite However, information on factors contributing scarce. Objectives: The aim this study was describe different components suspected patients Ziekenhuisgroep Twente (the Netherlands). Methods: For descriptive study, retrospective cohort consisting with between January 1 st 2017 October 2019 analyse diagnosis, as suggested Prior et al. Consultation defined time symptoms patient’s first consultation GP. Referral GP visit FTC. Diagnostic FTC initiation. Total from symptom onset until treatment. Delays were described using median interquartile ranges (IQR). Results: cohort, 206 included for analysis whom 62 had GCA. Controls (n=144) but did have Comparing controls, 66.1% 50.7% female mean (SD) age 74.2 (9.4) 70.2 (11.0) years, respectively. majority (n=42, 67.7%) cranial (C-GCA). Furthermore, 8 (12.9%) large vessel (LV-GCA) 12 (19.4%) combination C-GCA LV-GCA. patients, 2.1 (IQR 0.8-5.8) weeks, 1.4 0.4-4.6) weeks 0 0-0.1) (Figure 1). regarding referral, results controls comparable patients. 4.4 1.57-10.14) Conclusion: With almost half review This difference might be due implementation subsequent awareness hospital local GPs. Patients generally received within one day after visit. Nevertheless, contribution resolved introduction FTC, shown data. Timely essential develop instantly, emphasizes need tackle delay. References: [1]Prior JA, Ranjbar H, Belcher J, giant – systematic meta-analysis. BMC Med. 2017;15(1):120. Table 1. Baseline characteristics cohort. *CDUS=Colour Doppler Ultrasound; **Temporal Artery Biopsy;***18-FDG-Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography. (n=62 ) (n=144 Range Gender, % (n) 66.1 (41) 50.7 (73) Age (years), 51 91 50 97 ESR, Missing 78.4 (30.3) 3 22 120 39.9 (32.4) 9 2 124 CRP, 74.7 (60.0) - 283 35.8 (52.9) 0.4 -280 6 Polymyalgia Rheumatica, yes 21 (13) 11.8 (17) Cranial symptoms, 80.6 (50) 75.0 (108) Vision loss, %yes Compliant (i.e. AION, central retinal artery occlusion diplopia 27.4 15.3 (22) Diagnostics CDUS* 96.8 (60) 96.5 (139) TAB** 58.1 (36) 18.8 (27) PET/CT***%yes 40.3 (25) 16.0 (23) Figure Description (A); (B); (C) (D) (black) (green), stratified (red), LV-GCA (blue) C/LV-GCA (purple). Not possible no GCA-indicated started. Disclosure Interests: None declared