Polymylagia rheumatica: common disease, elusive diagnosis.
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a common inflammatory rheumatic disease with little known about its etiology or incidence. Frequently found in older adult women, this disease can be debilitating, painful, and dangerous. Diagnosing PMR can be elusive due to lack of specific laboratory tests, and treatment with use of long-term glucocorticoids can be difficult due to side effects. The following article describes the pathophysiology, diagnosis, signs and symptoms, and treatment of PMR, as well as implications for home healthcare.
Diana R. Mager, DNP, RN-BC, is an Assistant Professor, Fairfield University School of Nursing, Fairfield, Connecticut, and a Home Care Nurse and Consultant, Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County, Norwalk, Connecticut.
Diana R
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Mager
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D064650:Home Health Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones