What is Polymyalgia Rheumatica?
Polymyalgia rheumatica is a rheumatic disorder that is associated with moderate to severe muscle pain and stiffness in the:
Stiffness is most noticeable in the morning. This disorder may develop rapidly--in some patients, overnight. In other people, polymyalgia rheumatica develops more gradually. The cause of polymyalgia rheumatica is not known; however, the possibilities may include:
- immune system abnormalities
- genetic factors
- relationship to the aging process (the fact that polymyalgia rheumatica is rare in people under the age of 50 suggests it may somehow be linked to the aging process)
Polymyalgia rheumatica may go away without treatment in one to several years. With treatment, the symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica are quickly controlled, but relapse if treatment is stopped too early.
What is Giant Cell Arteritis?
Giant cell arteritis, also known as temporal arteritis and cranial arteritis, is a type of vasculitis, a disorder that results in swelling of arteries in:
- the head (most often the temporal arteries, which are located on the temples on each side of the head)
- the neck
- the arms
This swelling causes the arteries to narrow, reducing blood flow. Early treatment is critical for good prognosis. When properly treated, giant cell arteritis rarely recurs.
How Are Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis Related?
It is unclear how or why polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis are related. However:
When a person is diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica, the doctor also should look for symptoms of giant cell arteritis because of the risk of blindness. With proper treatment, the disease is not threatening. Untreated, however, giant cell arteritis can lead to serious complications including permanent vision loss and stroke. Patients must learn to recognize the signs of giant cell arteritis, because they can develop even after the symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica disappear. Patients should report any symptoms to the doctor immediately.
Who Is at Risk of Developing Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis?
Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis are quite common. In the United States, it is estimated that 700 per 100,000 people in the general population over 50 years of age develop polymyalgia rheumatica. An estimated 200 per 100,000 people over the age of 50 develop giant cell arteritis.
What Are the Symptoms of Polymyalgia Rheumatica?
The primary symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica are moderate to severe stiffness and muscle pain near the:
- neck
- shoulders
- hips
The stiffness is more severe upon waking or after a period of inactivity, and typically lasts longer than 30 minutes. People with this condition also may have flu-like symptoms, including:
- fever
- weakness
- weight loss
What Are the Symptoms of Giant Cell Arteritis?
Early symptoms of giant cell arteritis also may resemble the flu. People are likely to experience:
- headaches
- pain in the temples
- blurred or double vision
- pain in the jaw and tongue
