Giant cell arteritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

We describe a case of histologically proven giant cell arteritis (GCA) in a 62-year-old woman who initially presented with upper limb girdle pain and weakness, and intermittent claudication. Clinical improvement was obtained with oral prednisolone. She subsequently developed a photosensitive rash and was diagnosed as having systemic lupus erythematosus. The features of the two conditions and the possibility of an association are discussed.