What is the prognosis for a patient with temporal arteritis?

With early diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis for temporal arteritis is generally good. Most people with temporal arteritis experience significant improvement in their symptoms within a few weeks of starting treatment. However, some people may have persistent symptoms or experience relapses of the condition.

Potential complications of temporal arteritis include:

- Vision loss: Temporal arteritis can cause inflammation and damage to the arteries that supply blood to the eyes, leading to vision loss. This is the most serious complication of temporal arteritis and can occur even with early diagnosis and treatment.

- Stroke: Temporal arteritis can also cause inflammation and damage to the arteries that supply blood to the brain, leading to a stroke.

- Aortic aneurysm: Temporal arteritis can also cause inflammation and damage to the aorta, the largest artery in the body. This can lead to an aortic aneurysm, which is a potentially life-threatening condition.

People with temporal arteritis should be closely monitored by their doctors to ensure that the condition is being effectively treated and to watch for any potential complications.