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Is polymyalgia rheumatica a type of arthritis?

Is polymyalgia rheumatica a type of arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica are the two most common systemic rheumatic diseases in adults. Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) occurs exclusively in people over the age of 50 years, in contrast to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with typical onset between 30 and 50 years of age.

Can you have both rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica?

PMR can present with arthritis as a primary component but this should improve with treatment. Approximately 20% of patients with PMR are ultimately diagnosed with RA (because they can look so similar early in the disease course).

Can you have osteoarthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica?

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a condition that resembles several different disorders including osteoarthritis and can be difficult to diagnose. In addition to osteoarthritis, PMR can resemble conditions as diverse as depression, fibromyalgia, myopathic drug reactions, and malignancy.

Is polymyalgia an inflammatory arthritis?

Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disorder that causes muscle pain and stiffness, especially in the shoulders and hips. Signs and symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica (pol-e-my-AL-juh rue-MAT-ih-kuh) usually begin quickly and are worse in the morning.

What causes polymyalgia rheumatica to flare up?

The cause of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is unknown. It is possible that the way the immune system responds to certain viruses may trigger the disease. It is most probable that its development is triggered by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

What is polymyalgia onset rheumatoid arthritis?

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a well-defined acute musculoskeletal inflammation of ageing people and characterized by clinical symptoms that may create some difficulties in the differential diagnosis with late (elderly) onset RA (LO-RA or EO-RA, respectively) as well as with LO-RA with PMR-like onset (LO-RA/PMR) [1].

Does stress affect polymyalgia rheumatica?

Inflammatory conditions such as PMR can result or flare up from excessive stress.

Can polymyalgia affect your fingers?

The lower arms, hands, lower legs, and feet (distal extremities) are not usually affected by this disorder. Stiffness and pain, which typically occur on both sides of the body (bilateral), are most severe in the morning (morning stiffness) and after long periods of rest or inactivity (gel phenomenon).

How serious is polymyalgia rheumatica?

Polymyalgia rheumatica is usually self-limiting and often goes away within several months to 5 years and is not generally associated with serious complications. Complications of polymyalgia rheumatica may include: Diminished quality of life if the condition is not treated; Side effects and complications from long-term corticosteroid therapy

What is the prognosis for polymyalgia rheumatica?

The outlook for patients with isolated polymyalgia rheumatica is ultimately very good. One of the keys to successful treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica is gradual, and not rapid, tapering of the medicines. This can avoid unwanted flare-ups of the disease.

Does polymyalgia rheumatica go away without treatment?

Does polymyalgia ever go away? Without treatment, polymyalgia rheumatica sometimes goes away on its own over several years. With treatment, symptoms lessen or go away within days. Treatment is generally necessary for at least six months.

Can polymyalgia turn into rheumatoid arthritis?

Some people who are diagnosed with PMR can eventually be diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is an autoimmune disease. This is not because PMR causes RA, but because PMR is misdiagnosed due to its resemblance to RA. So, when it comes to polymyalgia rheumatica vs rheumatoid arthritis, it is good to know the similarities and differences. Let’s take a look.

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