[Polymyalgia rheumatica - frequent, but often overlooked].

Source: PubMed, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine

Musculoskeletal complaints of the shoulder/pelvic girdle are symptoms frequently described in patient care and are attributed to degenerative changes associated with increasing patient age. Polymyalgia rheumatica(PMR) is the second most common differential diagnosis of an inflammatory genesis after rheumatoid arthritis and should be ruled out. Patients diagnosed with PMR exhibit symptoms such as acute weakness, pain, morning stiffness in the neck, shoulders and pelvis. The manifestation of B-symptoms is possible. The clinical examination should encompass differential diagnoses and complications, such as giant cell arteritis. Laboratory testing shows elevated levels of inflammatory markers in almost all cases. Arthrosonography reveals tenosynovitis of the biceps tendon, bursitis or joint effusion of the hip. The initial treatment for PMR is the administration of steroids. In cases of disease activity, methotrexate, sarilumab or rituximab may be considered as potential treatment options.