Polimialgia Reumatica A Brief Rundown

Both the inflammatory rheumatic diseases polimialgia reumatica and giant cell arteritis

(GCA) are often overlapping conditions with undiscovered causative factors. There are some clinical indicators that are common to both conditions and they typically occur in adults over the age of fifty years. As far as the incidence of both disorders in America and England it is estimated that GCA occurs approximately 200 cases per 1 million people. For polimialgia reumatica depending on the country of choice the annual incidence can be anywhere from 120 - 1120 per million.

Polimialgia reumatica can prove harder to diagnose than giant cell arteritis. For gca a common symptom is a non typical headache that has a distinctly painful feel to it. This often goes in combination with elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and high C-reactive protein levels on blood testing. A terrible consequence of gca is visual loss which occurs in under twenty percent of cases and is why this disorder is called a rheumatologic emergency. There can be other associated symptoms such as numbness in the jaw or mouth which is a consequence of less blood to the head because of the inflamed arteries. With further testing it is often revealed that fifty percent of GCA sufferes have inflammation of the main arteries throughout the body

Pain and stiffness of the shoulders, neck and hips are the hallmark features of polimialgia reumatica. Approximately one third of sufferers will also have weight loss, depression and slight fever. The condition has no known cause and can develop very rapidly overnight or over a few days. The symptoms are experienced in the muscles which will make movements of the joints painful and stiff. It can be experienced on both sides of the body. Because it mimics a range of neurological, hormonal and endocrine disorders the final diagnosis often takes some time.

Both polimialgia reumatica and GCA are typically treated with corticosteroids. Although the goal is to lessen the amount of corticosteroid to a maintenance level as soon as possible. This is done to try and prevent coricosteroid toxicity and therefore the goal is to find the lowest dose possible that still alleviates symptoms. Currently there is no definitive protocol for this method and it will involve some trial and error. Usually a medium to high starting dose will be used to begin with, followed by careful monitoring of symptoms and side effects.

More than half of patients with polimialgia reumatica and about one third of GCA have a relapse of the condition and therefore need to stay on corticosteroids therapy for several years. A large number of relapses happen in the first year of treatment in conjunction with the corticosteroid dosage being reduced to less than 7.5mg per day.

For those looking to naturally compliment the effects of medication for polimialgia reumatica, there are a few things that can be done such as dietary modification, lifestyle changes and supplementation. Inflammation can often be aggravated by stress, so learning to be more relaxed and calm can benefit an inflamed system. More fruit and vegetable in the diet will supply additional nutrients to help your body during this healing period. And adding some anti-inflammatory supplements can also assist in reducing the aches and pains.

by: Peter Alexis

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