Polymyalgia rheumatica/giant cell arteritis in a Cambridge general practice.
The aim of this study was to establish the incidence and prevalence of polymyalgia rheumatica/giant cell arteritis in general practice. Patients with this disorder, whether previously diagnosed or not, were ascertained by using a questionnaire administered by interview, and all received full clinical and laboratory assessment. A total of 579 patients aged 65 and over was seen, and 19 (33/1000) had been diagnosed or developed symptoms within the previous eight years. Thus the calculated annual incidence in those aged 65 and over was about 4/1000. The figures from this first large scale study of polymyalgia rheumatica/giant cell arteritis in general practice are much higher than those from studies carried out in hospital. The questionnaire was effective in both identifying known cases of polymyalgia rheumatica/giant cell arteritis and detecting new cases. As this is a treatable disorder, it is important that doctors become aware of how common it is in elderly people.
D000368:Aged; D004739:England; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*