[The clinical manifestations of polymyalgia rheumatica]

The authors describe the results of the follow-up of 59 patients with rheumatic polymyalgia. The observation period lasted from 6 months to 6 years. The clinical manifestations of the disease have been analyzed. The torpid and steroid-independent variants of the disease have been distinguished, 22 patients (37.3%) manifested arthritis of different joints, characterized by an insignificant number of damage joints, little intensity of local inflammation, rapid and steady abatement after the treatment with corticosteroids. 10 patients (16.9%) with rheumatic polymyalgia had the carpal canal syndrome and 5 patients (8.5%) diffuse painless hand edema. The symptoms of Horton's disease were revealed in 19 patients (32.6%).