Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Question 1

Define Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Answer 1

Very similar to Giant cell arteritis but on shoulders and hips bursa-bursitis is super common
and synovitis

Question 2

Aetiology and risk factros

Answer 2

Unkown AID but with genetic and environment factors
Very unclear everything, but associated with Giant cell arteritis

Risk factors:
Female
age-over 50 (nearly always)
Giant cell arteritis

Question 3

Epidiemology of Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Answer 3

about 6 in 1000 in US

Question 4

Signs and Sx of Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Answer 4

Shortish Hx
Difficulties moving arms and legs in morning-limb girls pain and stiffness
tender over shoulder and hips
limited limb movement
exist on spectrum with giant cell arteritis-can evolve to become it

usually 1 hit disease

Question 5

Investigation of Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Answer 5

raised ESR and CRP
CK normal-

extremely fast response to prednisolone (lower dose)

self limiting over 18 month

Question 6

management of Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Answer 6

extremely fast response to prednisolone (lower dose) -15mg/day

self limiting over 18 month

monitor to make sure doesn’t progress to GCA

Question 7

Complications of Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Answer 7

Chronic PMR-rare but sometimes relapses

steroids side effects-infection, diabetes, etc

can progress to GCA (vision loss etc)

Question 8

Prognosis of Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Answer 8

Usually self limiting in 18 months
steroids are super good at solving it very fast
care with so much steroids

rare chance of progressing to GCA or relapsing