MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Polymyalgia rheumatica

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Polymyalgia rheumatica

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Fibromyalgia

Definition Return to top

Polymyalgia rheumatica is a disorder involving pain and stiffness in the hip or shoulder area.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Polymyalgia rheumatica is a disorder that almost always occurs in persons over 50 years old. The cause is unknown. Although symptoms are located predominantly in the muscles and there are no outward signs of arthritis, in some cases there is evidence of inflammatory arthritis.

The disorder may occur independently, or it may coexist with or precede giant cell arteritis, which is an inflammation of blood vessels (usually in the head).

Symptoms Return to top

Hip pain and stiffness
Shoulder pain and stiffness
Neck pain and stiffness
Muscle pain (minimal, less common than aching)
Fever
Unintentional weight loss
Anemia
Fatigue (excessive tiredness)
Malaise (general ill feeling)
Face pain
Other joint pain

Note: Symptoms usually begin abruptly.

Signs and tests Return to top

Fever may be the only symptom in some cases (the person has a fever of unknown origin). Signs of giant cell arteritis may also be present.

Blood tests are nonspecific.

The sedimentation rate (ESR) is often elevated.
Creatine kinase (CPK) is normal.
Hemoglobin or hematocrit may be normal or low.

Treatment Return to top

The goal of treatment is relief of discomfort and stiffness. The disease can be very bothersome if it is not treated. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are prescribed in low doses.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Polymyalgia rheumatica usually resolves by itself, even when not treated, in 1 to 4 years. Symptoms diminish greatly with treatment.

Complications Return to top

Polymyalgia rheumatica may precede giant cell arteritis or other disorders.

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you experience persistent weakness or stiffness of the pelvis or shoulder, especially if this is accompanied by symptoms of general illness, such as fever or headache.

Prevention Return to top

There is no known prevention.

Update Date: 10/24/2003

Updated by: Stanford Peng, M.D., Ph.D., Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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