Temporal arteritis (TA) is the most common form of systemic vasculitis. Its diagnosis is based on criteria proposed by the American College of Rheumatology (1990), and its treatment is high-dose corticosteroids.

Our objective is to assess the cost of diagnosing TA, and secondarily, cost-effective analysis of different diagnostic strategies (clinical, biopsy, doppler ultrasound) and therapeutic strategies (corticosteroid suspension).

Observational, retrospective study has been carried out on patients with AT (2012–2021). Demographic data, comorbidities, signs and symptoms suggestive of AT were collected. AT was diagnosed with a score ≥ 3 according to American College of Rheumatoloy criteria (ACR-SCORE). The costs of diagnosis and treatment modification were analysed.

Seventy-five patients have been included, median age 77 (46–87) years. Headache, temporal pain and jaw claudication were significant for the diagnosis of TA.

Patients with a halo on Doppler ultrasound and a positive biopsy have significantly elevated ESR and CRP compared to patients who do not.

The cost of the AT diagnosis was 414.7 euros/patient. If we use ACR-SCORE ≥ 3-echodoppler it is 167.2 є/patient (savings 59.6%) and ACR-SCORE ≥ 3-biopsy 339.75 є/patient (savings 18%). If the corticosteroid was removed and a biopsy was performed, 21.6 є/patient (94.7% savings), if the corticosteroid was removed and Doppler ultrasound was performed, 10.6 є/patient (97.4% savings).

Headache, temporary pain and jaw claudication are predictors of AT. Elevated ESR and CRP are predictors of positive biopsy and presence of halo on ultrasound.

The uses of ACR-SCORE ≥ 3 with Doppler ultrasound or biopsy, and with corticosteroid suspension, are cost-effective.

La arteritis de la temporal (AT) es la forma más frecuente de vasculitis sistémica, su diagnóstico está basado en criterios propuestos por el Colegio Americano de Reumatología (1990) y su tratamiento son corticoides a dosis elevadas.

Nuestro objetivo es valorar el gasto del diagnóstico de la AT, y secundariamente análisis coste-efectivo de distintas estrategias diagnósticas (clínica, biopsia, ecodoppler) y terapéuticas (suspensión del corticoide).

Estudio observacional, retrospectivo de pacientes con AT (2012–2021). Se recogieron datos demográficos, comorbilidades, signos y síntomas sugestivos de AT. Se diagnosticó AT con una puntuación ≥ 3 según criterios del American College of Reumatology (ACR-SCORE). Se analizaron los gastos del diagnóstico y modificación de tratamiento.

Setenta y cinco pacientes, mediana edad 77 (6–87) años. Cefalea, dolor temporal y claudicación mandibular fueron significativos para el diagnóstico de AT.

Los pacientes con halo en ecodoppler y biopsia positiva, presentaron elevación de VSG y PCR de forma significativa en comparación con los pacientes que no.

El gasto diagnóstico de AT fue de 414,7 є/paciente. Si empleamos ACR-SCORE ≥ 3-eco-Doppler serían 167,2 є/paciente (ahorro del 59,6%) y ACR-SCORE ≥ 3-biopsia 339,75 є/paciente (ahorro del 18%). Si se retiraba corticoide y se realizaba biopsia hubiesen sido 21,6 є/paciente (ahorro del 94,7%), si se retiraba corticoide y se realizaba eco-Doppler hubiesen sido 10,6 є/paciente (ahorro del 97,4%).

Cefalea, dolor temporal y claudicación mandibular son predictores de AT. La elevación de VSG y PCR son predictores de biopsia positiva y presencia de halo en ecografía.

El empleo de ACR-SCORE ≥ 3 con ecodoppler o con biopsia, y con suspensión del corticoide son coste-efectivos.