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Polymyalgia rheumatica is a disease that causes muscle pain and stiffness, predominantly in the mornings, in the neck and the areas close to the shoulders, torso and hips. It almost only occurs in adults and presents in people over the age of 50. It is often associated with giant cell arteritis (temporal artery). The cause is unknown. It characteristically manifests with pain and stiffness that makes it difficult to move the joints. The joints most affected are the shoulders, arms, neck, trunk, pelvis and thighs. Diagnosis is clinical and performed by excluding other diseases. Treatment is based on the use of corticosteroids that cause a marked improvement of symptoms. They are generally maintained for one or two years. In episodes of relapse, the dose may be increased or restarted in the event of treatment discontinuation.
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Dr. Patricia Sánchez
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