Polymyalgia rheumatica

• What is polymyalgia rheumatica?


  Idiopathic, chronic, systemic, rheumatic inflammatory disease
• What are some characteristics of polymyalgia rheumatica?


  Aching and muscle stiffness - pelvic girdle, shoulder and neck

  Raised inflam markers
• What are some complications of polymyalgia rheumatica?


  Giant cell arthritis

  Long term steroid use
• What are some signs and symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica?


  Low fever

  Night sweats

  Morning stiffness - proximal limb muscles

  Aching

  Depression

  Anorexia

  Lethargy

  Polyarthralgia
• What are some risk factors of polymyalgia rheumatica?


  Age

  Female

  Infection

  Northern European
• What bedside investigations are dome for polymyalgia rheumatica?


  EMG - normal
• What bloods are done for polymyalgia rheumatica?


  Creatine kinase - normal

  Inflam markers - raised
• How is polymyalgia managed conservatively?


  Assess and manage:

  • Complications
  • Relapses
  • Osteoporosis risk
• How is polymyalgia managed pharmacologically?

  Prednisolone
• How quickly should you see a result when using prednisolone for polymyalgia rheumatica?


  1 week