Inflammatory disease.
Although its cause is unknown, it is often associated with giant cell arteritis (temporal artery).
Its manifestations are muscle pain and stiffness, predominantly in the mornings, in the neck and the areas close to the shoulders, torso and hips, making it difficult to move the joints. The most affected joints are the shoulders, arms, neck, stem, pelvis and thighs.
Diagnosis is reached through the clinical history, a physical examination and by ruling out other diseases.
Treatment is based on the use of corticosteroids over a prolonged period of time. In episodes of relapse, the dose may be increased or restarted in the event of treatment discontinuation.
- William P Docken. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica. UpToDate. Octubre 2016
- William P Docken. Treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica. UpToDate. Junio 2016.
- Crowson CS. The lifetime risk of adult-onset rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Arthritis Rheum 2011; 63:633.
- Liozon E. Familial aggregation in giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica: a comprehensive literature review including 4 new families. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2009; 27:S89.
- Gonzalez-Gay MA. Epidemiology of giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica. Arthritis Rheum 2009; 61:1454.
- Carol A. Langford. Síndromes vasculíticos. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna, 19e. Capítulo 385

