High incidence of polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis in a Swedish community

The minimum incidence of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) was studied during one year in a stable Caucasian population in southern Sweden. The data obtained show an incidence rate higher than that previously found in Sweden and almost as high as the rate recently found in Denmark. In addition, the finding of a low incidence of ocular complications during 3 years of follow-up suggests the positive influence of training primary health care physicians to identify and treat these patients early. Furthermore, the previously described transition from pure PMR into GCA was not seen which might imply a further effect of early treatment.