`

Polymyalgia rheumatica

Evidence: Immune-mediated

Names

Description

Polymyalgia rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an autoimmune disease that causes an inflammatory reaction affecting the lining of joints, especially the shoulders and hips, and sometimes the arteries and some major branches of the aorta. It is usually associated with giant cell arteritis.

Bloggers

We could not find any current blogs for this disease.  If you have a blog with entries within the past year or know of a blog, please contact us.

Prevalence

US cases: 708,000 - 816,000 [Crowson 2017]. Based on prevalence within the US over-50 population (34% of US total population).

Typical Age of onset

The average age at diagnosis is 70. PMR is rarely diagnosed in individuals younger than 50.

Symptoms

May occur on both sides of the body and might include:

  • Aches/pain in shoulders, neck, upper arms, buttocks, hips or thighs

  • Stiffness in affected areas, particularly in the morning or after being inactive for a time

  • Limited range of motion in affected areas

  • Pain or stiffness in your wrists, elbows or knees

Generalized symptoms may include

  • Fever

  • Weakness

  • Fatigue

  • Weight loss

  • Generally feeling ill