Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)

Product Description

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is the second most common autoimmune rheumatic disease after rheumatoid arthritis, with a lifetime risk of 2.4% for women, and 1.7% for men. Giant cell arteritis (GCA), previously known as temporal arteritis, is a systemic vasculitis of arteries that typically affects the cranial arteries. GCA is a medical emergency because it can lead to ischemic optic neuropathy and irreversible vision loss. About 15% of people with PMR develop GCA, while about 50% people with GCA will have PMR. The presentation of both conditions can be vague, and diagnosis is therefore often delayed or missed in clinical practice.