[Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis].

Among 47 patients with polymyalgia rheumatica there were 30 (63.8%) with temporal giant-cell arteritis. Rapidly progressing visual reduction occurred in 2, acute blindness in 10. Four forms of polymyalgia rheumatica were identified by their different clinical courses, with differing risk of blindness. Those patients with polymyalgia rheumatica and giant-cell arteritis are most endangered who have headaches and neck and shoulder pains, but no or only mild general symptoms.