2. Epidemiology of giant cell arteritis: a critical review

Abstract

GCA appears to be more common in Caucasian populations compared with non-Caucasians, however, there are few studies directly comparing different populations [2]. The incidence is highest in Scandinavians and in populations descended from them. The Viking heritage of the UK might be responsible for the relatively high frequency of GCA seen in the UKGPRD study; the incidence is highest in East Anglia, an area with marked Viking ancestry [3]. GCA is much less common in southern European populations, which have a different genetic background [4]. The Olmsted county population is descended from Scandinavian migrants to the USA. Studies from Tennesse and Texas have reported a much lower incidence in African-Americans and Hispanics. There is a low prevalence in Japan compared with Europe [5].