Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR, muscle and joint disorder)

Description

Inflammatory disorder of muscles and joints which involve severe pain and stiffness in the area of neck, shoulder and hips. The exact cause is unknown. Biopsy of the aching muscles under the microscope gives normal finding. In some people this disorder is associated with the temporal arteritis (gigantocellulararterits). It rarely appears before the age of 50.

Symptoms

Fatigue (excessive tiredness), slightly elevated temperature, pain in the hips, joint stiffness, pain in the joints, valetudinarianism (general sensation of illness), muscle pain, neck pain, stiff neck, pain in the shoulder, unintentional weight loss. If it is associated with temporal arteritis: headache, hypersensitivity of temporal arteries, impaired vision.

Overview

Anamnesis will be taken and medical examination will be done. Blood analysis are done to measuresedimentation of erythrocytes (SE) and/or C-reactive protein level (CRP). Increased values of one or both tests confirm diagnosis in adequate hospital conditions. Additional analysis may be done to exclude other possible causes of the symptoms.

Tests

Complete blood count (CBC), biochemical blood analysis, sedimentation of erythrocytes (SE) and analyisi of urine.

Additional analyses

CK-creatine-kinase.

Specialists

Internal Medicine and Rheumatology

Therapy

It is usually treated with corticosteroids (prednisone) in mild to small dosis. Treatment usually lasts one year at least and sometimes small dosis of corticosteroids are needed for indefinite period of time. If temporal arteritis is considered, treatment with high dosis of corticosteroids should be started immediately in order to prevent blindness.