Polymyalgia rheumatica

Answer 1

Definition

Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disorder involving pain and stiffness in the hip or shoulder area.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Polymyalgia rheumatica is a disorder that almost always occurs in people over 50 years old. The cause is unknown. Although symptoms are located mainly in the muscles and there are no outward signs of arthritis, in some cases there is evidence of inflammatory Arthritis.

The disorder may occur alone, or with or before temporal arteritis, which is an inflammation of blood vessels (usually in the head).

Symptoms

• Anemia (low number of red blood cells in the blood)
• Face pain
• Fatigue(excessive tiredness)
• Fever
• Hip pain and stiffness
• Malaise(general ill feeling)
• Muscle pain (minimal, less common than aching)
• Neck pain and stiffness
• Other joint pain
• Shoulder painand stiffness
• Unintentional weight loss

Note: Symptoms usually come on suddenly.

Signs and tests

Fever may be the only symptom in some cases (the person has a fever for no known reason). There may also be signs of temporal arteritis.

Blood tests are nonspecific.

• Creatine kinase (CPK) is normal
• Hemoglobin or hematocrit may be normal or low
• The sedimentation rate (ESR) is often elevated

Treatment

The goal of treatment is relief of discomfort and stiffness. The disease can be very bothersome if it is not treated. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are prescribed in low doses.

Expectations (prognosis)

Polymyalgia rheumatica usually goes away by itself, even when not treated, in 1 to 4 years. Symptoms diminish greatly with treatment. Most patients need steroid treatment for 1 or more years.

Complications

Polymyalgia rheumatica may occur before the onset of giant cell arteritis or other disorders.

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you experience persistent weakness or stiffness of the pelvis or shoulder, especially if this is accompanied by symptoms of general illness, such as fever or headache.

Prevention

There is no known prevention.

ReferencesUnwin B, Williams CM, Gilliland W. Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis.Am Fam Physician; 2006; 74(9):1547-1554.

Answer 2

Definition

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory disorder involving pain and stiffness in the shoulder and usually also the hip.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Polymyalgia rheumatica is a disorder that almost always occurs in people over 50 years old. The cause is unknown.

PMR may occur alone, or with or before giant cell arteritis (also called temporal arteritis), which is inflammation of blood vessels (usually in the head).

Symptoms

The most typical symptom is pain and stiffness in both shoulders and the neck. This pain usually progresses to the hips, and there isfatigue too. It becomes more and more difficult for patients to get around.

Other symptoms include:

• Anemia
• Appetite loss, which leads to unintentional weight loss
• Depression
• Fever

There are no specific joint symptoms.

Some people with PMR also have giant cell arteritis. This far more serious disease can cause:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Sudden blindness

Signs and tests

Lab tests cannot diagnose polymyalgia rheumatica. However, most patients with this condition have an elevated sedimentation rate (ESR), a blood test that can show certain kinds of inflammation.

Other test results for this condition (as well as for giant cell arteritis) include:

• Abnormal proteins in the blood
• Abnormal white blood cells
• Reduced hemoglobin and hematocrit
• Signs of anemia

These tests may also be used to monitor patients' progress.

Treatment

Although there is no cure for polymyalgia rheumatica, treatment can help prevent patients from becoming disabled.

Low doses of corticosteroids (such as prednisone) can relieve polymyalgia rheumatica within a day or two. The dose can then be slowly reduced to a very low level, but the treatment will need to continue for a long time -- around 2 - 6 years.

Corticosteroids cause a variety of side effects that must be carefully monitored and managed.

Expectations (prognosis)

Polymyalgia rheumatica usually goes away by itself after 2 - 6 years. After this time, treatment can be stopped.

Complications

Polymyalgia rheumatica can cause serious disabilities if untreated.

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have persistent weakness or stiffness of the shoulder and neck area, especially if you also have symptoms of general illness, such as fever or headache.

Prevention

There is no known prevention.

ReferencesUnwin B, Williams CM, Gilliland W. Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis.Am Fam Physician; 2006; 74(9):1547-1554. Reviewed By

Review Date: 02/03/2011

Michael E. Makover, MD, professor attending in Rheumatology at the New York University Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Answer 3

Hello, I see you are asking " What are the symptoms for polymyalgia rheumatica? "

Symptoms

Aches or pain in your shoulders.

Aches or pain in your neck, upper arms, buttocks, hips or thighs.

Stiffness in affected areas, particularly in the morning or after being inactive for a time.

Limited range of motion in affected areas.

Pain or stiffness in your wrists, elbows or knees.

orthopedicshealth. com/condition/polymyalgia-rheumatica/c/32444