Pain in the elderly: polymyalgia rheumatica.
Diagnosis of rheumatologic disorders in the elderly is often complicated by the primary care clinician's inability to differentiate among similar manifestations of rheumatologic disorders, the presence of comorbid conditions, and symptoms attributed simply to aging. A major consequence of the aches and pains associated with rheumatologic disorders, including polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), is the impedance of activities of daily living, potentially leading to a loss of independence. PMR is common in the elderly. Often coexisting with PMR, temporal arteritis can lead to complications, including blindness, stroke, or cardiac sequelae. Timely detection and appropriate treatment of PMR in the elderly may improve quality of life, as well as deter irreversible problems. Patient education also has an important role.
Loeslie
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Winona State University, Minnesota, USA.
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000209:etiology; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013256:Steroids; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D013256:Steroids