Clinical features

Temporal Arteritis usually affects people over the age of 60. The symptoms are:

• Severe headache,
• Exquisite tenderness over the temporal arteries and over the scalp, especially noticeable on brushing the hair,
• Noticeable swelling of the temporal arteries,
• Visual symptoms such as double vision, partial or complete loss of vision, amaurosis fugax (temporary vision loss in one eye). See Visual Impairment for relevant guidance and to consider H/R Mobility Severely Visually Impaired (SVI) criteria, see H/R Mobility Severely Visually Impaired (SVI) deeming provisions
• Pain in the jaw muscles and tongue when chewing and talking
• Severe pain in the neck, shoulders and hips,
• General malaise and fatigue.
• Stroke (any large artery can be affected).

Amended April 2011