Polymyalgia Rheumatica Flashcards
1
Q
what is it?
A
a chronic inflammatory condition
2
Q
who gets it?
A
unknown aetiology elderly individuals (>50yrs) GCA (giant cell arteritis) - 15% of patients develop GCA - 40-50% of patients with GCA have PMR
3
Q
how does it present?
A
proximal myalgia of hip and shoulder in girls
morning stiffness for over an hour
symptoms improve as the day goes on and with movement
4
Q
how is it investigated?
A
no specific diagnostic test
raised CRP, PV/ESR
5
Q
how is it managed?
A
low dose steroids - prednisolone 15mg daily, gradually reduced over 18 months
- symptoms respond dramatically
- sometimes diagnostic tool
by the end of treatment, the condition will have resolved in the majority of cases
