title: [Polymyalgia rheumatica: myalgic syndrome or occult vasculitis?].
abstract: Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology which typically presents with symmetric myalgias in the shoulder and pelvic girdles. Other clinical signs include the rapid onset of symptoms and the almost exclusive manifestation in the elderly population. In around 20% of cases, PMR is associated with giant cell arteritis (GCA). However, new imaging techniques suggest that the prevalence of subclinical GCA (e. g. aortitis) in PMR is probably higher. Acute phase reactants like erythrocyte sedimentation rate and c-reactive protein are usually elevated. Myalgias are accompanied by synovitis and bursitis of the large proximal joints and can be visualized by ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging. While the diagnosis of GCA can be verified by temporal artery biopsy, pathognomonic findings for PMR like specific autoantibodies are lacking. Typical for PMR is the rapid response to corticosteroids. Usually the therapy needs to be continued for at least 2 years. Due to adverse events in many cases a corticosteroid saving therapy like methotrexate is needed.
authors.affiliation: Rheumaklinik Bad Bramstedt and Poliklinik für Rheumatologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck. hellmich@rheuma-zentrum.de
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hellmich
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Gross
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013577:Syndrome; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents