[Treatment and diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis].
BACKGROUND
Studies of polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis have shown that a low initial dose of oral corticosteroids should be preferred. It is, however, uncertain whether or not the suggested recommendations have been implemented by practising physicians.


METHODS
Questionnaires were mailed to members of the Norwegian association for patients with polymyalgia rheumatica or temporal arteritis.


RESULTS
The average initial dose of prednisolone in polymyalgia rheumatica was 35 mg; 51 of 62 patients were given a starting dose exceeding 15 mg.


CONCLUSIONS
The recommended low initial dose of prednisolone has still been not implemented by the majority of general practitioners and rheumatologists.
Gran
Jan Tore
JT
Revmatologisk avdeling, Rikshospitalet, 0027 Oslo. jan.tore.gran@rikshospitalet.no
D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone