polymayalgia rheumatica

Question 1

What is the definition of Polymyalgia Rheumatica?

Answer 1

Polymyalgia Rheumatica is an inflammatory disease which occurs exclusively in those over 50 years old and is of unknown aetiology

Question 2

What is polymyalgia rheumatica closely associated with?

Answer 2

Polymyalgia rheumatica is a giant cell arteritis, 15% of those with polymyalgia rheumatica will get giant cell arteritis and 50% of those with giant cell arteritis have polymyalgia rheumatica

Question 3

IMPORTANT FACTAMUNDO

Answer 3

THIS IS A DISEASE OF PAIN AND STIFFNESS BUT NOT NOT OF WEAKNEESS

Question 4

presentation

Answer 4

• symmetrical pain in the shoulder and pelvic girdles
• extreme morning stiffness which improves throughout the day
• may cause a little fatigue and weight loss but nothing like that off polymysotisi

Question 5

what is the only useful investigation in polymyalgia rheumatica

Answer 5

elevated ESR, CRP and PV

Question 6

what is the muscle biopsy like in polymyalgia rheumatica if it is even carried out

Answer 6

completely normal!

Question 7

treatment

Answer 7

extremely rapid and ‘miraculous response’ to low dose steroids 15mg prednisolone which confirms diagnosis if there was ever any doubt