What is considered the primary cause of giant cell arteritis?

The primary cause of giant cell arteritis is often considered to be an autoimmune reaction, in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, specifically affecting the large and medium-sized arteries. Giant cell arteritis, also known as temporal arteritis, is characterized by inflammation in the walls of the arteries, which can lead to severe complications such as vision loss if not treated promptly.

While the inflammation of arteries is a significant feature of the condition, the underlying trigger of that inflammation is the autoimmune response. In individuals with giant cell arteritis, the immune system activates and induces a localized inflammatory response in the vessel walls. This inflammatory process causes symptoms such as headache, scalp tenderness, and jaw pain, and is typically diagnosed through clinical presentation, laboratory tests for inflammatory markers, and sometimes temporal artery biopsy.

Other options, like viral infections and genetic factors, may play a role in the disease but are not considered primary causes. For instance, although viral infections may trigger some autoimmune diseases, giant cell arteritis is specifically linked to an aberrant immune response rather than a direct infectious agent. Genetic predisposition can contribute to the risk of developing autoimmune conditions, but again, it is the autoimmune nature of the disease that primarily drives the pathology of giant cell arteritis