Which symptom is most characteristic of giant cell arteritis?

Which symptom is most characteristic of giant cell arteritis?

• A. Productive cough
• B. Abdominal pain
• C. Jaw claudication
• D. Leg cramps

Answer: (C)

Giant cell arteritis causes inflammation of large and medium arteries, often in people over 50, which narrows blood flow to areas supplied by those vessels. Jaw claudication—pain or fatigue in the jaw with chewing—is the most characteristic symptom because chewing increases demand from the masticatory muscles, and inflamed arteries in this region can’t deliver enough blood. This ischemic pain while chewing is a classic clue pointing toward temporal/giant cell arteritis, especially when accompanied by headaches, scalp tenderness, or vision changes. The other options don’t fit this condition: a productive cough points to a respiratory issue, abdominal pain suggests GI pathology, and leg cramps can occur for various reasons but do not reflect the jaw muscle ischemia seen in this vasculitis.

Giant cell arteritis causes inflammation of large and medium arteries, often in people over 50, which narrows blood flow to areas supplied by those vessels. Jaw claudication—pain or fatigue in the jaw with chewing—is the most characteristic symptom because chewing increases demand from the masticatory muscles, and inflamed arteries in this region can’t deliver enough blood. This ischemic pain while chewing is a classic clue pointing toward temporal/giant cell arteritis, especially when accompanied by headaches, scalp tenderness, or vision changes. The other options don’t fit this condition: a productive cough points to a respiratory issue, abdominal pain suggests GI pathology, and leg cramps can occur for various reasons but do not reflect the jaw muscle ischemia seen in this vasculitis.