Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Posts Tagged ‘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

(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…

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. 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

(Source: Rheumatology)
MedWorm: Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Conclusions:
Active PMR is characterised by increased serum levels of IL6, but not of other proinflammatory cytokines, that are rapidly suppressed by CS treatment. As circulating monocytes do not show increased production of proinflammatory cytokines, IL6 may be mainly produced in the inflamed tissue. A study of the circulating cytokine profile and its cellular source may provide a clue to new therapeutic options. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
MedWorm: Polymyalgia Rheumatica

This study looks to identify the optimal starting dose of prednisone for polymyalgia rheumatica patients. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Predictors of positive temporal artery biopsy in patients with giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica (comment on the article by Marí et al.).
Eur J Intern Med. 2010 Feb;21(1):51
Authors: Gonzalez-Gay MA, Miranda-Filloy JA, Llorca J

PMID: 20122617 [PubMed - in process] (Source: European Journal of Internal Medicine)
MedWorm: Polymyalgia Rheumatica