Temporal arteritis typically presents with unilateral scalp tenderness and jaw claudication in patients older than 50; which finding is commonly elevated?

Temporal arteritis typically presents with unilateral scalp tenderness and jaw claudication in patients older than 50; which finding is commonly elevated?

• A. Jaw claudication
• B. Elevated ESR
• C. Scalp swelling
• D. Fever

Answer: (B)

Temporal arteritis drives systemic inflammation, which raises acute-phase reactants. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate reflects this inflammation and is commonly elevated in these patients, often significantly above normal. This lab change is a reliable clue in the setting of new headaches, unilateral scalp tenderness, and jaw claudication in someone over 50. The other items are clinical signs or nonspecific symptoms rather than a laboratory marker: jaw claudication and scalp tenderness describe symptoms, while fever can occur but is not as specific or consistently elevated as ESR in this condition.

Temporal arteritis drives systemic inflammation, which raises acute-phase reactants. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate reflects this inflammation and is commonly elevated in these patients, often significantly above normal. This lab change is a reliable clue in the setting of new headaches, unilateral scalp tenderness, and jaw claudication in someone over 50. The other items are clinical signs or nonspecific symptoms rather than a laboratory marker: jaw claudication and scalp tenderness describe symptoms, while fever can occur but is not as specific or consistently elevated as ESR in this condition.