Temporal arteritis in a black patient.

A review of the medical records between 1971 and 1977 from four Emory University affiliated hospitals revealed 12 white patients and one black patient who had biopsy-proven temporal arteritis. Anemia and an elevated alkaline phosphatase level were noted in eight of the 13 patients, and the ESR was elevated in all thirteen. Symptoms resolved rapidly with corticosteroid therapy. No differences were noted in presentation, response to therapy, or complications between the two racial groups studied here and those reviewed in the literature.