Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

What is polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)?

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a disorder that generally affects people over age 50. It causes severe stiffness and pain in the muscles of your neck, shoulders, lower back, and hips.

How does it occur?

The cause of this disorder is unknown. Some researchers believe that it may be inherited.

Women are affected more often than men. PMR is more common among people whose ancestors came from Germany, Great Britain, or other northern European countries.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may develop suddenly or gradually and include:

stiffness and pain in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, upper arms, lower back, thighs, and hips that are often worse in the morning
a low-grade fever
fatigue
weight loss
depression.

Between 10% and 15% of people with PMR also have a condition called temporal arteritis, also called giant cell arteritis. In temporal arteritis, certain arteries in the body (often those near the temples) become inflamed, narrowed, and sometimes completely blocked. About half of the people who have temporal arteritis have PMR.

How is it diagnosed?

There is no special test to diagnose this condition. Your health care provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms and medical history. Lab tests and x-rays can rule out other conditions that would cause the symptoms. You may also have a blood test called ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate). The ESR measures the rate at which red blood cells sink to the bottom of a test tube. This test also shows inflammation.

How is it treated?

Mild cases of PMR are sometimes treated with anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin or ibuprofen. In most cases, however, medicines called steroids are needed to treat PMR. These medicines can relieve symptoms quickly and often completely.

Blood tests are used to monitor treatment and to check for recurrence.

How long do the effects last?

With treatment, the condition typically lasts about 2 years. Symptoms sometimes come back months or years later, however, requiring repeated treatment with medicine.

How can I help myself?

Follow your health care provider's treatment plan.
Notify your health care provider if your symptoms come back or get worse.
If you develop a headache or pain in the jaw when chewing, swallowing, or talking, contact your health care provider right away.
Discuss possible side effects of your medicine with your health care provider. Keep him or her informed about any side effects you have.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File BJM3225F.HTM Release 9.0/2006