Temporal arteritis is associated with which condition?

Temporal arteritis is associated with which condition?

• A. Ankylosing spondylitis
• B. Systemic lupus erythematosus
• C. Rheumatoid arthritis
• D. Polymyalgia rheumatica

Answer: (D)

Temporal arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica are closely linked inflammatory conditions that commonly occur in older adults. They often share a similar patient population and can overlap in symptoms and course. Temporal arteritis presents with headaches, scalp tenderness, jaw claudication, and possible vision problems, while polymyalgia rheumatica causes aching and morning stiffness in the shoulder and hip girdles. Many patients with temporal arteritis also have PMR symptoms, and some with PMR may develop temporal arteritis, reflecting a shared inflammatory process. The other conditions listed—ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis—are distinct diseases with different typical associations and presentations, so their link to temporal arteritis is not as characteristic.

Temporal arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica are closely linked inflammatory conditions that commonly occur in older adults. They often share a similar patient population and can overlap in symptoms and course. Temporal arteritis presents with headaches, scalp tenderness, jaw claudication, and possible vision problems, while polymyalgia rheumatica causes aching and morning stiffness in the shoulder and hip girdles. Many patients with temporal arteritis also have PMR symptoms, and some with PMR may develop temporal arteritis, reflecting a shared inflammatory process. The other conditions listed—ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis—are distinct diseases with different typical associations and presentations, so their link to temporal arteritis is not as characteristic.