The incidence of giant cell arteritis in Olmsted County, Minnesota, over a 60-year period 1950-2009

Objective: To assess the incidence of giant cell arteritis (GCA) in the era from 2000 to 2009. Method: We extended the previously identified population-based cohort of Olmsted County, Minnesota residents who fulfilled 1990 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for GCA for earlier decades during 1950-1999. Results: In 2000-2009, 74 cases of GCA were identified (mean age 78.1 years; 80% women; 79% temporal artery biopsy positive; seven included based on radiological criteria). The incidence of GCA was 19.8 per 100 000 population. Conclusions: The GCA incidence rates have remained steady since 1970 and the age at incidence, which was progressively increasing, seems to have reached a plateau.