EULAR response criteria for polymyalgia rheumatica: results of an initiative of the European Collaborating Polymyalgia Rheumatica Group (subcommittee of ESCISIT).
OBJECTIVE
To develop response criteria for polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) for monitoring treatment and comparing alternative treatments regimens.


METHODS
76 patients, mean (SD) age 68.7 (7.7) years, were enrolled. Corticosteroids, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were the only drugs allowed during the observation period. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), alpha(2) globulin, serum iron, pain, physician's global assessment (PGA), morning stiffness (MST), muscle tenderness (MT), myalgia, and the elevation of upper limbs (EUL) were determined regularly. The daily corticosteroid and NSAID doses as the corticosteroid response time were recorded. To ensure evaluation of an adequate number of patients (n = 57) week 24 was chosen for final analysis.


RESULTS
ESR, CRP, alpha(2) globulin, pain, PGA, MST, myalgia, MT, and EUL showed significant improvement (p<0.0001) at week 24 compared with week 0. Multiple regression analysis showed that changes of ESR (p = 0.08), CRP (p = 0.41), alpha(2) globulin (p = 0.13), MST (p = 0.1), and MT (p = 0.07) were independent of pain, but myalgia (p<0.001) and EUL (p = 0.003) were pain dependent. Consequently, a core set of PMR response criteria, comprising ESR or CRP, pain, PGA, MST, and EUL was established. Assessment of treatment responses with this core set resulted in 90%, 70%, 50%, and 20% improvement in 31/57 (54%), 46/57 (81%), 51/57 (89%), and 54/57 (95%) of the patients, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
These PMR response criteria are a promising tool for better monitoring of disease activity and treatment in PMR. It is proposed that these criteria should be used in clinical trials in the near future to explore alternative treatment options for PMR.
Leeb
B F
BF
Lower Austrian Centre for Rheumatology, Humanis Klinikum Lower Austria, Stockerau, Austria. leeb.hkstockkerau@aon.at
Bird
H A
HA
Nesher
G
G
Andel
I
I
Hueber
W
W
Logar
D
D
Montecucco
C M
CM
Rovensky
J
J
Sautner
J
J
Sonnenblick
M
M
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000510:Alpha-Globulins / Q000032:analysis; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001799:Blood Sedimentation / Q000187:drug effects; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000510:Alpha-Globulins; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein