Illnesses & Conditions
Information on diseases and health concerns, including symptoms, treatment options, and prevention.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Synonyms
Disorder Subdivisions
General Discussion
Resources
For a Complete Report

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Polymyalgia Rheumaticais not the name you expected.

Synonyms

• Anarthritic Syndrome
• Arthritic Rheumatoid Disease
• PMR

Disorder Subdivisions

• None

General Discussion

Polymyalgia rheumatica is a rare inflammatory disease characterized by muscle pain (myalgia), stiffness, and additional generalized systemic symptoms such as fatigue, low-grade fever, and/or a general feeling of ill health (malaise). Polymyalgia rheumatica can be a relatively benign condition that is extremely responsive to treatment. In some rare cases, permanent muscle weakness, degeneration and loss (atrophy) of muscle mass, and disability may occur. The exact cause of polymyalgia rheumatica is unknown, although immunological factors and familial tendencies (genetic predisposition) have been mentioned in the medical literature.

Polymyalgia rheumatica is closely related to giant cell arteritis, another inflammatory disorder. Giant cell arteritis is characterized by progressive inflammation of many arteries of the body. These two disorders have been described in the medical literature as possible variants of the same disease process. Some researchers believe they represent different ends of a disease continuum. The exact nature of the association is not fully understood.

Resources

Vasculitis Foundation
P.O. Box 28660
Kansas City, MO 64188
USA
Tel: 8164368211
Fax: 8164368211
Tel: 8002779474
Email: vf@vasculitisfoundation.org
Internet: http://www.vasculitisfoundation.org

American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
22100 Gratiot Avenue
Eastpointe, MI 48021-2227
Tel: (586)776-3900
Fax: (586)776-3903
Tel: (800)598-4668
Email: aarda@aarda.org
Internet: http://www.aarda.org/

Arthritis Foundation
1330 West Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30309
USA
Tel: 4048727100
Fax: 4048720457
Tel: 8005684045
Email: help@arthritis.org
Internet: http://www.arthritis.org

NIH/National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892-3675
USA
Tel: 3014954484
Fax: 3017186366
Tel: 8772264267
TDD: 3015652966
Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info

Autoimmune Information Network, Inc
PO Box 4121
Brick, NJ 08723
Tel: (732)664-9259
Email: autoimmunehelp@aol.com
Internet: http://www.aininc.org

European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID)
c/o Dr. Esther de Vries
Jeroen Bosch Hospital
Dept. Paediatrics
P.O. Box 90153
Hertogenbosch, 5200 ME's
Netherlands
Tel: +31 73-6992965
Fax: +31 73-6992948
Email: info@esid.org
Internet: http://www.esid.org

AutoImmunity Community

Tel: (919)-55-2-9057
Email: bandrews@autoimmunitycommunity.org
Internet: http://autoimmunitycommunity.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  8/7/2007
Copyright  1986, 1989, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2007National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.