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$Title{Polymyalgia Rheumatica}
$Subject{Polymyalgia Rheumatica PMR Senile Rheumatic Gout Anarthritic
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Copyright (C) 1986, 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

256:
Polymyalgia Rheumatica

** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Polymyalgia Rheumatica) is
not the name you expected.  Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the
alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.

Synonyms

     PMR
     Senile Rheumatic Gout
     Anarthritic syndrome

General Discussion

** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only.  It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.  If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.


Polymyalgia Rheumatica is a disorder characterized by pain and stiffness
in certain muscle groups without causing permanent weakness or atrophy.

Symptoms

The major symptoms of Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) are pain and stiffness in
the neck, shoulders, upper arms, low back, hips and thighs.  The symptoms
often come on quickly and the stiffness is most severe in the morning,
causing difficulty getting out of bed.  Difficulty in moving may also occur
after long periods of sitting still.  In some patients onset of the symptoms
occurs very gradually.

The pain of PMR is felt on both sides of the body.  Fever, lack of
appetite (anorexia), fatigue, weight loss and depression may also be present.
In spite of the severe pain, examination of the muscles does not show any
abnormality.  A nonhemolytic anemia may be present in some patients.

Causes

The cause of Polymyalgia Rheumatica is not known.

Affected Population

Polymyalgia Rheumatica occurs most commonly in people over 50 years of age.
Females are affected four times as often as males, and caucasian people are
affected more frequently than other racial groups.

Related Disorders

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic disorder characterized by nonspecific,
inflammation of the peripheral joints, potentially resulting in progressive
destruction of the joints.

Giant Cell Arteritis (Temporal Arteritis; Cranial Arteritis; or
Granulomatous Arteritis) is a chronic generalized inflammatory disease of the
branches of the aortic arch (large arteries coming out of the heart).  The
disorder principally affects temporal and occipital arteries, but many
develop in almost any large artery.  The systematic symptoms of Giant Cell
Arteritis are the same as those of PMR, to which it may be related.  (For
more information, choose "giant Cell Arteritis" and "arthritis" as your
search terms in the Rare Disease Database.)

Therapies:  Standard

The most effective drugs for treating PMR are the corticosteroids.
Prednisone is most often prescribed.  This treatment often results in rapid
improvement within a few days after which the dosage is lowered and kept at a
maintenance level for a few months to several years.  Potential side effects
of prednisone such as weight gain, thinning of the bones, depression, high
blood pressure, cataracts, diabetes, increased risk of infection and, rarely,
bleeding from the stomach, should be carefully monitored and prevented by
reducing the dose or discontinuing when possible.

Some patients respond well to treatment with aspirin, which relieves pain
and reduces inflammation.

Other drugs sometimes used to treat PMR are the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs which are commonly used to treat many types of arthritis.  These drugs
reduce pain and inflammation much like aspirin, but they cause fewer side
effects in some people.

During any period of pain and stiffness, people with PMR need to avoid
being either too active or not active enough.  Once drug therapy has taken
effect, activity can be increased.

Therapies:  Investigational

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through March
1987.  Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every
entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.  Please
check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current
information about this disorder.

Resources

For more information on Polymyalgia Rheumatica, please contact:

     National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
     P.O. Box 8923
     New Fairfield, CT  06812-1783
     (203) 746-6518

     Arthritis Foundation
     1314 Spring Street, N.W.
     Atlanta, GA 30309
     (404) 872-7100

     The National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information
     Clearinghouse
     Box AMS
     Bethesda, MD  20892
     (301) 495-4484

References

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR).  Wilske:  Arthritis Medical Information
Series (1983).