Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis: A Review Article.

Polymyalgia rheumatic (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) are two rheumatological conditions with significant overlap that typically affect the older white population. PMR is the most common inflammatory rheumatic disease of the elderly and shares many pathogenetic and epidemiological features with GCA. Diagnosis is made primarily on clinical grounds with supporting laboratory evidence. Typical symptoms of PMR are bilateral aching of the shoulders and pelvic girdle associated with stiffness. PMR is associated with GCA and is considered to be on a disease continuum. Approximately half of patients diagnosed with GCA have already been or will be diagnosed with PMR. GCA is the most common vasculitis in adults and affects medium and large arteries and can result in blindness if untreated. Clinically it may present either gradually or abruptly. The most common presentation is headache with an aching pain classically localizing to the temporal region of moderate intensity which responds poorly to analgesics. Patients may also experience jaw or tongue claudication with weakening or pain in the muscles of mastication that is relieved by rest. The temporal artery may exhibit palpable beading, diminished pulses, bruits and tenderness.