TAKAYASU ARTERITIS IN MEXICO - A 38-YEAR CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE THROUGHLITERATURE-REVIEW

A literature search covering national reports since the first publishe d in Mexico (1957), discloses 237 adults and 55 children with a defini tive diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis. This condition was first recog nized by an ophtalmologist in 1946, and it was communicated 10 years a fter his observation. Since 1957, 11 clinical papers on Takayasu's art eritis had been published in Mexico and abroad; in contrast few papers were published in other Latinamerican countries and even in North Ame rica. Takayasu's arteritis in Mexico follows the clinical pattern desc ribed in Asian reports, it affects mainly non-caucasic young women, is a chronic disease which causes prominent cardiovascular complaints. C hildren developed a systemic disease with higher morbidity and mortali ty. Uncommon diseases, such as Takayasu's arteritis represent an uniqu e opportunity to compare clinical and biological profile among differe nt populations to gain valuable knowledge and understanding of ethiopa thogenesis.