The SCNSV group had lower serum levels of C-reactive protein at the time of GCA diagnosis and higher cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of total protein (102 mg/dL vs. 38 mg/dL, <i>p</i> = .008) and albumin (66 mg/dL vs. 21 mg/dL, <i>p</i> = .008) at the time of SCNSV diagnosis.
Inclusion criteria for the qualitative analysis were (1) <sup>18</sup>F-FDG PET used to assess the disease activity, (2) The use of the ACR criteria for the diagnosis of TAK, (3) No case mixed vasculitis (i.e., no giant cell arteritis), and (4) CRP concentration and clinical disease activity available.
We conclude that the presence of thrombocytosis and high NLR, PLR, ESR and CRP can all be used clinically to support the diagnosis of GCA prior to biopsy.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are inflammatory markers which are elevated in the majority of patients and support the diagnosis of GCA among patients who present with typical symptoms.
The functional CRP gene polymorphisms assessed in our study do not seem to play a major role in the pathogenesis of GCA in individuals from Northwestern Spain.