Update on treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica

Abstract

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is the second most common inflammatory rheumatic disease in the elderly after rheumatoid arthritis. It is clinically characterised by pain and stiffness in the neck, proximal shoulder and hip girdle. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the cornerstone of PMR treatment, but they are associated with potentially severe side effects. Among GC-sparing agents, methotrexate revealed a modest benefit in clinical trials, and recently, there have been promising reports from tocilizumab. In this review, we summarize the available evidence on the treatment of PMR and the possible role in the future of other agents under investigation.

Keywords: Polymyalgia rheumatica; biologics.; disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs; glucocorticoids; large vessel vasculitis.