Polymyalgia Rheumatica By: Tiffany Zumbahlen And Sedona Hilt

The Disease Polymyalgia Rheumatica is commonly referred to as PMR. PMR typically affects adults over the age of 50. Woman are typically affected twice as much as men. PMR can cause trouble with daily activities such as getting dressed, sitting down, and sleeping.

Autoimmune  PMR is thought to be autoimmune because of its relationship with giant cell arteritis, another autoimmune disease.  Half of patients with giant cell arteritis also have PMR.  PMR often occurs by itself, but it can also occur with other conditions such as infections.  Tests on the muscles of PMR patients have normal results, so researchers believe the elastic lamina in blood vessels are the primary target affected by the immune system.

Symptoms  Joint Pain; especially upper arms, neck, buttocks, and thighs  Pain is at its worst in the morning and improves throughout the day  Pain occurs equally on both sides of the body  Symptoms can come quickly, sometimes even overnight

Treatments o Doctors may give a low dose of corticosteroids o The dose is milligrams per day o Relieves stiffness quickly o Corticosteroids can work for some people within a year other people may take 2 or 3 years

Facts  The name polymyalgia rheumatica literally means many aching muscles  There’s a higher percentage of PMR at higher latitudes  Researchers believe PMR may be a varied version of temporal arteritis because of the common headaches.

Works Cited