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Causes of death in polymyalgia rheumatica. A prospective longitudinal study of 315 cases and matched population

Geirmund Myklebust1, Tom Wilsgaard, Bjarne Koster Jacobsen

  • 1Department of Rheumatology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway. geirmund.myklebust@aassh.no

Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology
|March 15, 2003
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) showed increased survival compared to controls. This improved survival in PMR patients was not linked to a reduction in specific causes of death.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory condition affecting older adults.
  • Understanding the long-term outcomes and causes of mortality in PMR is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the causes of death in patients diagnosed with pure polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).
  • To compare mortality patterns in PMR patients against a matched population control group.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based cohort study was conducted from 1987 to 1997, including 315 PMR patients.
  • Each PMR patient was matched with four population controls (1,260 total).
  • Causes and dates of death were ascertained from Norwegian national data up to 1997.

Main Results:

  • Overall mortality was lower in PMR patients (20.6%) compared to controls (26.8%), with a mortality rate ratio (MRR) of 0.73 (p=0.03).
  • No significant differences in mortality from coronary heart disease, stroke, or cancer were observed between PMR patients and controls.
  • Mortality from other causes also did not differ significantly between the groups.

Conclusions:

  • Patients with polymyalgia rheumatica exhibit increased survival compared to the general population.
  • The observed survival benefit in PMR patients cannot be attributed to a reduction in specific major causes of death.

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