title: [Treatment and diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Revmatologisk avdeling, Rikshospitalet, 0027 Oslo. jan.tore.gran@rikshospitalet.no
authors.forename: Jan Tore
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Gran
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone