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Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Miriam Giovanna Colombo1, Anna-Jasmin Wetzel, Hannah Haumann

  • 1Institute for General Practice and Inter - professional Care, University Hospital Tübingen; Department of Analytics and Data Science, AOK Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart; Medical Division, AOK Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart.

Deutsches Arzteblatt International
|May 31, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) affects older adults, with higher incidence in women. While treatable with glucocorticoids, many patients experience symptom recurrence, highlighting the need for further research into risk factors and non-pharmacological treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Epidemiology
  • Geriatrics

Background:

  • Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a common inflammatory rheumatic disease in older adults.
  • Known risk factors include female sex, prior infections, and genetics.
  • No prior epidemiological data for PMR in Germany was available.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence and prevalence of PMR in Germany.
  • To analyze diagnostic patterns and treatment responses.
  • To identify needs for further research.

Main Methods:

  • Literature search of PubMed publications.
  • Analysis of administrative health insurance data (2011-2019) for individuals aged 40+.
  • Quantification of physician consultations for PMR diagnosis.

Main Results:

  • Annual age- and sex-standardized incidence: 18.6/100,000; prevalence: 138.8/100,000.
  • Higher incidence in women (21.8/100,000) vs. men (12.8/100,000).
  • 60% of diagnoses occurred in primary care; 43% of patients had recurrent symptoms within a year.

Conclusions:

  • PMR is manageable in primary care, but patients are often multimorbid and require frequent follow-up.
  • Glucocorticoid treatment is effective but requires dose adjustments due to recurrence.
  • Further research is needed on etiology, chronic course risk factors, and non-pharmacological interventions.

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