Polymyalgia rheumatica: An updated review
Salman B. Mahmood, Elizabeth A. Nelson, Jessica Padniewski, Rawad Nasr
Abstract
Polymyalgia rheumatica should be suspected in older patients with bilateral shoulder and hip stiffness that is worse in the morning and improves with use. An array of nonspecific musculoskeletal complaints, constitutional symptoms, and elevated serum inflammatory markers may be present, so other conditions should also be considered. Prolonged glucocorticoids with patient-tailored dosing and duration are the mainstay of treatment. Corticosteroid-sparing therapy with adjunctive methotrexate may benefit select patients.
Topics & Concepts
Polymyalgia rheumaticaMedicineMorning stiffnessMethotrexateDosingMorningInternal medicineCorticosteroidRheumatoid arthritisSurgeryPhysical therapyGiant cell arteritisDiseaseVasculitisPsoriatic arthritisVasculitis and related conditionsCoagulation, Bradykinin, Polyphosphates, and AngioedemaUrticaria and Related Conditions