polymalgia rheumatica Flashcards
(10 cards)
1
Q
what is polymalgia rheumatica?
A
pain
stiffness
inflammation
in the muscles (and maybe joints) in the
shoulders
neck
hips
rapid onset < 1 month
2
Q
onset
A
rapid
< 1 month
3
Q
symptoms
A
stiffness which lasts > 45 mins in the morning before it gets better with movement
- extreme tiredness
- weight loss
- depression
4
Q
cause
A
unknown
genetic and environmental
5
Q
who does it affect
A
women
50+ years
6
Q
association with giant cell artiritis
A
1 in 5 of those with polymyalgia rheumatica will develop GCA
7
Q
treatment
A
15mg prednisolone
then slowly wein them off
8
Q
testing
A
- esr raised
- always do temporal artery biospy for GCA
- may have anaemia of chronic disease so FBC - iron screen
- bone profile and protein electrophoresis / DEXA scan - because on prednisolone
9
Q
pathophysiology of anaemia with chronic disease in polycythaemia rheumatica
A
- inflammation - hepcidin release
- low iron
- chronci inflammation inhibits eyrothropoisis
- inflammation also shortens rbc life span
10
Q
condition which needs to be tested for
A
giant cell artiritis
