ABC of Rheumatology: POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA AND GIANT CELL ARTERITIS

Differential diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica Myeloma Neoplastic disease Joint disease Osteoarthritis, particularly of cervical spine Rheumatoid arthritis Connective tissue disease Muscle disease Polymyositis Myopathy Infections Investigations Baseline investigations to aid diagnosis The erythroc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMJ 1995-04, Vol.310 (6986), p.1057-1059
Main Authors: Pountain, Gillian, Hazleman, Brian
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Biopsy
Diagnosis, Differential
Disease
Epidemiology
Giant Cell Arteritis - diagnosis
Giant Cell Arteritis - drug therapy
Giant Cell Arteritis - etiology
Humans
Polymyalgia Rheumatica - diagnosis
Polymyalgia Rheumatica - drug therapy
Polymyalgia Rheumatica - etiology
Proteins
Recurrence
Veins & arteries
Womens health
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Summary:Differential diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica Myeloma Neoplastic disease Joint disease Osteoarthritis, particularly of cervical spine Rheumatoid arthritis Connective tissue disease Muscle disease Polymyositis Myopathy Infections Investigations Baseline investigations to aid diagnosis The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and concentration of C reactive protein are usually, but not necessarily, raised in the two conditions: there are many case reports of giant cell arteritis proved by biopsy with normal or slightly increased erythrocyte sedimentation rates. Investigations at presentation of polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis Polymyalgia rheumatica Erythrocyte sedimentation rate Acute phase proteins Full blood count Biochemical profile Protein electrophoresis Bence Jones proteins Thyroid function Chest radiograph Rheumatoid factor Muscle enzymes (if indicated) Giant cell arteritis Erythrocyte sedimentation rate C reactive protein Full blood count Liver function tests Consider temporal artery biopsy Biopsy Some patients with polymyalgia rheumatica but without symptoms of giant cell arteritis have positive results from temporal artery biopsies. [...]all suspected cases of polymyalgia rheumatica or giant cell arteritis might benefit from temporal artery biopsy.
ISSN:0959-8138
1468-5833
DOI:10.1136/bmj.310.6986.1057