Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 1983 Apr;42(2):168-70.
doi: 10.1136/ard.42.2.168.

The ESR in the diagnosis and management of the polymyalgia rheumatica/giant cell arteritis syndrome

M E Ellis, S Ralston

The ESR in the diagnosis and management of the polymyalgia rheumatica/giant cell arteritis syndrome

M E Ellis et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 1983 Apr.

Abstract

A review of 80 patients with the polymyalgia rheumatica/giant cell arteritis (PMR/GCA) syndrome has revealed that the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is normal in 22.5% of cases at presentation. Too much reliance on the ESR as a screening test led to delay in diagnosis in 10 patients. Serious complications occurred in 4 patients with a normal or minimally raised ESR. Analysis of follow-up data at 4 weeks showed no significant correlation between change in the ESR and change in symptoms, and at subsequent clinical attendances symptoms did not consistently parallel the ESR. Our results cast serious doubts on the use of the ESR as an entirely reliable diagnostic and therapeutic aid in the PMR/GCA syndrome.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Acta Med Scand. 1965 Nov;178(5):591-8 - PubMed
    1. Lancet. 1967 Mar 18;1(7490):597-8 - PubMed
    1. Br Med J. 1967 Apr 8;2(5544):85-7 - PubMed
    1. Ann Rheum Dis. 1967 Mar;26(2):103-16 - PubMed
    1. Arthritis Rheum. 1971 Jan-Feb;14(1):138-41 - PubMed