| Finding | Giant cell arteritis | Takayasu arteritis |
| Female-to-male ratio | 3:2 | 7:1 |
| Age at onset | >50 years | <40 years |
| Ethnic ancestry | European | Asian |
| Histopathology | Granulomatous inflammation | Granulomatous inflammation |
| Primary vessels involved | External carotid artery branches | Aorta and branches |
| Renovascular hypertension | Rare | Common |
| HLA association | HLA-DR4 | HLA-Bw52 |
| Course | Self-limited | Chronic |
| Response to corticosteroids | Excellent | Excellent |
| Surgical intervention needed | Rare | Common |
