Causes and Risks: Polymyalgia rheumatica is a disorder that almost always occurs in persons over 50 years old. The cause is unknown. Although symptoms are located predominantly in the muscles and there are no outward signs of arthritis, in some cases there is evidence of inflammatory arthritis.

The disorder may occur independently, or it may coexist with or precede giant cell arteritis, which is an inflammation of blood vessels (usually in the head).

Polymyalgia rheumatica occurs in approximately 8 out of 10,000 people; however, it occurs in approximately 1 out of 200 people over 50 years old.

Prevention: There is no known prevention.

Symptoms:

• hip pain and hip stiffness
• shoulder pain and shoulder stiffness
• neck pain and neck stiffness
• muscle pain (minimal, less common than aching)
• fever
• weight loss
• anemia
• fatigue (excessive tiredness)
• general ill feeling (malaise)
• face pain
• other joint pain

Signs and Tests: Fever may be the only symptom in some cases (the person has a fever of unknown origin). Signs of giant cell arteritis may also be present.

Blood tests are nonspecific.

• The sedimentation rate (ESR) is often elevated.
• Creatine kinase (CPK) is normal.
• Hemoglobin or hematocrit may be normal or low.

Treatment: The goal of treatment is relief of discomfort and stiffness. The disorder generally runs its course without treatment.

Corticosteroids, such as Prednisone, are prescribed in low doses.

Prognosis: Polymyalgia rheumatica usually resolves by itself, even when not treated, in 1 to 4 years. Symptoms diminish greatly with treatment.

Complications: Polymyalgia rheumatica may precede giant cell arteritis or other disorders.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you experience persistent weakness or stiffness of the pelvis or shoulder, especially if this is accompanied by symptoms of general illness (fever or headache).