Polymyalgia Rheumatica And Temporal Arteritis

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Polymyalgia rheumatica (outline of this chapter)

Introduction

Signs and symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica

Diagnostic tests for polymyalgia rheumatica

Treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica

[edit] Polymyalgia Rheumatica And Temporal Arteritis

Introduction:

This disease complex occurs in patients who are usually between 60 and 75 years of age. It is a painful muscle disease and shows laboratory evidence of inflammation and a dysfunctional immune system.

Temporal arteritis (also called "giant cell arteritis") seems to be a variant of this disease where the elastic membrane of cranial arteries gets broken down. If the temporal arteries (see almost completely closed opening in cross section) are affected, there is a danger of sudden onset blindness. About 1 in 1000 patients older than 50 years come down with temporal arteritis (Ref. 2).

Approximately 50% of these patients have polymyalgia rheumatica. About 33% of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica come down with temporal arteritis. In the past before corticosteroids were used in the treatment of giant cell arteritis about 30 to 60% of patients turned blind (Ref. 1). Here is more detailed medical information on temporal arteritis.

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References:

1. ABC of rheumatology, second edition, edited by Michael L. Snaith, M.D., BMJ Books, 1999. Chapter 14.

2. The Merck Manual, 7^th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 50.5. Goldman: Cecil Textbook of Medicine (21st ed., ©2000 W.B.Saunders)

3. Ferri: Ferri's Clinical Advisor: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment, 2004 ed., Copyright © 2004 Mosby, Inc.

4. Rakel: Conn's Current Therapy 2004, 56th ed., Copyright © 2004 Elsevier

5. B. Sears: "The age-free zone".Regan Books, Harper Collins, 2000.

6. B. Sears: "Zone perfect meals in minutes". Regan Books, Harper Collins, 1997.