POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA

Giant cell arteritis-mediated polymyalgia rheumatica is a typical disease of old age; though manifestation is rare in patients younger than 50 years, there is no upper age limit. Average disease-onset is at age 70. Typical symptoms and high serological inflammation are found. Laboratory data is nonspecific; temporal artery biopsy is imperative in unclear cases. Only glucocorticoid therapy initiates prompt pain relief, stops the inflammatory process and apprehends vascular complications. Monitoring of therapy requires careful guidance and experience.