What age group is most likely to suffer from temporal arteritis?

Temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis, primarily affects individuals who are over the age of 50. This condition is associated with inflammation of the blood vessels, particularly those in the temporal region of the head. The risk of developing temporal arteritis significantly increases as people age, with most cases occurring in individuals over 50 years old, and it being most common in those over 70.

While younger individuals can experience various forms of vasculitis, temporal arteritis is rarely diagnosed in patients under 50, and the incidence in those under 30 is extremely rare. Temporal arteritis can lead to serious complications, including vision loss, highlighting the importance of recognizing risk factors and typical presentation in older adults. The characteristic symptoms, such as headaches, scalp tenderness, and jaw claudication, commonly manifest after this age, further supporting that the most affected group is indeed those over 50 years old.