Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Conclusions  The scarcity of randomized trials and the high level of heterogeneity of studies on PMR therapy do not allow firm conclusions to be drawn. However, PMR remission seems to be achieved with prednisone treatment at a dose of 15 mg/d in most patients, and reductions below 10 mg/d should preferably follow a tapering rate of less than 1 mg/mo. Methotrexate seems to exert glucocorticoid-sparing properties. (Source: Archives of Internal Medicine)
MedWorm: Polymyalgia Rheumatica

This study highlights the need for reciprocal knowledge
by both geriatricians and rheumatologists to optimize the management of these complex patients.

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Brief ReportPages 1-3DOI 10.1007/s10067-011-1845-8Authors
Angela Juby, Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, B139 Clinical Sciences Building, 8440 112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, CanadaPaul Davis, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, 562 Heritage Medical Research Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2S2, Canada

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(Source: The Journal of Dermatology)
MedWorm: Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Source: Arch Internal Med
Area: News
A systematic review of the evidence on treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica concludes that there is a scarcity of controlled trials and significant heterogeneity in those that exist; as a result, it is not possible to draw firm conclusions on the optimum treatment.
 
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a syndrome that occurs in people aged over 50 and presents with morning stiffness and aching in the shoulder and pelvic girdles, with signs of systemic inflammation. Systemic corticosteroids are the standard treatment, however there have been no systematic summaries of the evidence for corticosteroid or other therapy: the authors of this review aimed to determine whether there was evidence to indicate the optimum corticosteroid, dose, and dose reduct…

We present the case of a woman with MDS (karyotype 46,XX,+1,der(1;7)(q10;p10)[20], that evolved with an additional trisomy 8 clone) and a novel spectrum of autoimmune diseases including acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia (AFOP) and lacrimal gland pseudotumor. (Source: Gastroenterology Research and Practice)

Conclusions:
The risk of adverse events depends on study design and disease. Studies on inflammatory bowel disease were often of short duration with frequent documentation of adverse events which resulted in higher adverse event rates whereas, in studies of rheumatoid arthritis, the longer follow-up may have resulted in lower adverse event rates. In most studies aimed at efficacy of glucocorticoids or other drugs, adverse events were not systematically assessed. Clear guidelines on assessment of adverse events are lacking. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
MedWorm: Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Abstract  Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is diagnosed based on clinical features that may overlap with other rheumatic conditions like
rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Furthermore, a proportion of PMR patients may subsequently evolve into RA. The aim of this study
was to examine the clinical characteristics of PMR patients in a Chinese cohort compared to a Caucasian series. Patients diagnosed
to have PMR during 1997–2008 were reviewed for clinical features and compared to a reported Caucasian series. Rheumatoid factor
(RF) and anticyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies were determined by immunonephelometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay, respectively. Forty-four patients of southern Chinese origin were diagnosed to have PMR according to specialist opinion.
Seventy-f…
MedWorm: Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis are related autoimmune conditions that occur primarily in older adults. This review highlights recent advances in their diagnosis and management. Aging Health (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

CONCLUSION: Our results showed no association of IRF5 rs2004640 and CGGGG insertion/deletion polymorphisms in the susceptibility to and clinical expression of GCA.
PMID: 19918036 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: J Rheumatol)

Conclusion. Subclinical inflammation detected by US persists in most PMR patients despite glucocorticoid treatment. PDUS may be useful to detect at diagnosis the patients with most active inflammation who have a higher risk of relapses/recurrences. (Source: Rheumatology)
MedWorm: Polymyalgia Rheumatica