Understanding Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR): Causes, Symptoms, and Management

What is it?

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory disorder that causes muscle pain and stiffness in various parts of the body. It most commonly affects the shoulders and neck, and also the arms and hips.
Some people with PMR are also diagnosed with a related disorder called temporal arteritis - An inflammation of the arteries in the head that may even cause blindness if not treated quickly.

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Additional names

This group contains additional names:
- Giant cell arteritis with polymyalgia rheumatica

Signs & symptoms

Pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulders are the most common symptoms of PMR. The pain and stiffness may spread to other areas, such as the arms and thighs.
The symptoms often appear suddenly and tend to be worse in the morning.
Other symptoms of PMR include: fatigue, loss of appetite, anemia, depression, low-grade fever, a limited range of motion.

Diagnosis

No specific test exists to diagnose PMR; many other diseases can cause inflammation and pain in muscles.
In order to make a diagnosis Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical examination. Additional tests include blood tests to check for inflammatory markers.
since PMR is sometimes associated with temporal arteritis, an ultrasound of the temporal artery may be performed and a biopsy sample may be taken.

Treatment

PMR is usually treated with corticosteroids taken by mouth. Treatment duration is frequently greater than one year

☝️ This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision.

Learn more about our editorial process for content accuracy.

Source of Information - We analyze big data of more than 23 million patients de-identified medical records from the following sources:

National Institution of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ University of Illinois hospital