Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory disorder that causes widespread aching, stiffness, and flu-like symptoms. It is more common in women than men and is seen more often in Caucasians than other races. It typically develops by age 70 and is rarely seen in people younger than 50. The cause of PMR is uncertain, but it is believed to be an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own immune system attacks healthy tissues. Genetic and environmental factors, such as infections, are thought to play important roles. Because it is rare in people under age 50, its cause could be linked to the aging process.
PMR may last from one to five years; however, it varies from person to person. Approximately 15 percent of people with PMR develop a potentially dangerous condition called giant cell arteritis, which results in inflammation in the lining of the arteries, most often the arteries in the temples. Signs and symptoms of giant cell arteritis include headaches, jaw pain, vision problems, and scalp tenderness. If left untreated, this condition can lead to stroke or blindness.
The most common symptom of PMR is pain and stiffness in the shoulder muscles, which develops quickly over a few days or weeks. The muscles in the neck and hips are also often affected. Both sides of the body are usually affected. The stiffness often feels worse first thing in the morning after you wake up and starts to improve after about 45 minutes as you become more active. Other symptoms of PMR include fatigue, fever, poor appetite, and weight loss. PMR may also occur with another serious condition called giant cell arteritis (also known as temporal arteritis), which can be dangerous. New, persistent headaches -- particularly on the side of the head -- scalp tenderness, vision changes, or jaw pain when eating can be signs of this condition.
Diagnosing PMR can often be quite a lengthy process that involves several different tests. This is because the condition shares many symptoms with more common health conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, which need to be...
