Polymyalgia rheumatica can recur years after discontinuation of corticosteroid therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe disease recurrence in polymyalgia rheumatica.


METHODS
I present 12 patients with recurring PMR from a single clinical practice with long-term clinical follow-up (mean 14.3 years).


RESULTS
Despite a disease-free interval off corticosteroids of 2 years or longer, these patients experienced 1 overt recurrence (or more) of PMR.


CONCLUSIONS
The course of PMR is not uniformly monophasic, and patient and physician should remain alert to the possibility of recurring disease.
Docken
W P
WP
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA. wdocken@partners.org
D000368:Aged; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012008:Recurrence; D013997:Time Factors; D028761:Withholding Treatment
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids