A comparison of giant cell arteritis referrals and outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic: experience from a district general hospital in the UK

Increased incidence of giant cell arteritis and associated stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain: A nation-wide population study

“…However, all these assumptions should be interpreted cautiously, since these data are mostly based on case reports, small series or single-center studies. Moreover, other authors have not confirmed a significantly higher incidence of GCA during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 18 , 29 , 30 ]. For example, Kaulen et al only found one case of GCA in >200,000 inhabitants who received SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations in Germany [ 22 ].…”

“…For example, Kaulen et al only found one case of GCA in >200,000 inhabitants who received SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations in Germany [ 22 ]. On the other hand, it has been shown that general health care and, particularly, the diagnosis and outpatient management of autoimmune diseases, including GCA, has been greatly influenced by the pandemic [ 30 , 34 ]. Accordingly, the incidence, clinical onset and severity of the disease may have changed during this period not only by COVID-19 itself, but also influenced by a more difficult access to health facilities for clinical conditions other than COVID-19.…”

“…Altogether, the similarities between severe COVID-19 and certain autoimmune diseases could explain why both SARS-CoV2 infection and COVID-19 vaccines have been related to autoimmune disease onset, disease flares and more severe inflammatory activity during the pandemic [ [13] , [14] , [15] ]. Indeed, small-size and/or monocenter reports have claimed an increase of cases of GCA and/or associated ischemic events following COVID-19 disease and/or vaccination, although this observation has not been confirmed by others [ [16] , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] ].…”