Polymyalgia Rheumatica (Pmr)
Description
An inflammatory disorder involving severe aching and stiffness in the neck, hip and shoulder area. The cause is unknown and the muscles of those affected are normal when evaluated microscopically. The disorder is related to temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis). It is believed up to 1 in 200 adults over the age of 50 are affected.
Symptoms
Fatigue (excessive tiredness), fever, hip pain, joint stiffness, joint pain, malaise (general ill feeling), muscle pain, neck pain, neck stiffness, shoulder pain, unintentional weight loss. If associated with temporal arteritis: face pain and scalp pain.
Tests
A history and physical exam will be performed. An elevated sedimentation rate (ESR) in the appropriate clinical setting can establish the diagnosis. Other studies may be done to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms.
- CBC
- Chem 12
- UA
- ESR
Treatment
Steroids (prednisone) are prescribed and sometimes have to be taken in low doses for life. If temporal arteritis is being considered treatment needs to begin urgently to prevent blindness.
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