Polymyalgia rheumatica
It is an inflammatory disease with distinct symmetrical pain accompanied by shoulder and / or pelvic girdle.
The cause of polymyalgia rheumatica is unknown. Until today it was not possible to identify the exact location of the underlying pathological process. Presumably is causally associated with inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis), as the disease is associated with giant cell arteritis.
Speak for an autoimmune disease, among other things, that exogenous factors frequently (in northern regions, often associated with infections) and genetic predisposition appear to play a role.
Frequency
The disease affects about 0.01 to 0.03% of all aged over 50, with the mean age of onset around the 70th Age is.
Symptoms
- sudden illness within two weeks.
- severe symmetrical pain in the shoulder and lap belts, which are particularly strong in the morning.
Diagnosis
Diagnostic criteria for Bird (at least three should be met):
- bds shoulder pain or shoulder stiffness
- between the appearance of initial symptoms and the occurrence of the frame are a maximum of two weeks
- BSG on 40mm/Std
- Morning stiffness of 1 hour
- Age over 65 years
- Depression and / or weight loss
- bds upper arm tenderness
- increased signs of inflammation (ESR, CRP, etc.) in the blood
Therapy
- Gold standard in the treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica are the glucocorticoids dar. The overwhelming majority of cases will be achieved with proper dosage a prompt improvement of symptoms.
- If side effects during treatment with glucocorticoids on, so they can come additional immunosuppressants used.
Forecast:
If the therapy is maintained consistently, the disease usually heals without complications from a few years.