Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is one of the most common inflammatory rheumatic diseases of the elderly. Its management is currently subject to wide variations in clinical practice, with management crossing the boundaries between primary and secondary care.
The initial diagnosis of PMR can be challenging, as many of its clinical and laboratory features may also be present in other conditions. Also, the response to standardised therapy is heterogeneous and a significant proportion of patients do not respond completely.
This concise guideline provides for safer and more accurate diagnosis, appropriate referral, clinical management, and follow-up and monitoring. It is for general practitioners, general physicians and rheumatologists and provides a summary of and draws attention to the full guidelines, published by the British Society of Rheumatology and British Health Professionals in Rheumatology.
This concise guideline was also published in Clinical Medicine, volume 10 issue 3.