Polymyalgia Rheumatica
- PMID: 30725959
- Bookshelf ID: NBK537274
Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Excerpt
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a rheumatic disorder characterized by pain and stiffness around the neck, shoulder, and hip area that significantly impacts quality of life. This disorder is more common in white adults over 50 years of age. It is an inflammatory condition associated with an elevation of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), being the typical findings. Patients with PMR can develop or have concomitant giant cell arteritis (GCA), also known as Horton disease. Some authors consider GCA an extreme entity of the same spectrum of disorders as PMR.
Understanding the intricacies of PMR is essential for clinicians, as it requires a nuanced approach to management, including careful consideration of the potential long-term complications and the crucial interplay with GCA. This review aims to highlight the key aspects of PMR, including the etiology, clinical features, and optimal management strategies.
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Conflict of interest statement
Sections
- Continuing Education Activity
- Introduction
- Etiology
- Epidemiology
- Pathophysiology
- History and Physical
- Evaluation
- Treatment / Management
- Differential Diagnosis
- Prognosis
- Complications
- Consultations
- Deterrence and Patient Education
- Pearls and Other Issues
- Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes
- Review Questions
- References
References
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- Weyand CM, Hunder NN, Hicok KC, Hunder GG, Goronzy JJ. HLA-DRB1 alleles in polymyalgia rheumatica, giant cell arteritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 1994 Apr;37(4):514-20. - PubMed
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- Elling P, Olsson AT, Elling H. Synchronous variations of the incidence of temporal arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica in different regions of Denmark; association with epidemics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. J Rheumatol. 1996 Jan;23(1):112-9. - PubMed
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- Uddhammar A, Boman J, Juto P, Rantapää Dahlqvist S. Antibodies against Chlamydia pneumoniae, cytomegalovirus, enteroviruses and respiratory syncytial virus in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 1997 May-Jun;15(3):299-302. - PubMed
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