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A Case of Pulmonary Asbestosis Presenting with Polymyalgia Rheumatica: A Case Report
Kiysohi Migita1,2,3, Fumi Mori4, Reiji Nakano5
1Department of Rheumatology, St Francisco Hospital, Japan.
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|April 1, 2026
Summary
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) can present with shoulder and finger joint stiffness in elderly patients with a history of asbestos exposure. Steroid treatment effectively resolved these musculoskeletal symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Occupational Medicine
Background:
- Pulmonary asbestosis is linked to asbestos exposure.
- Elderly patients may present with atypical symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) in an elderly patient with pulmonary asbestosis.
- To highlight the diagnostic criteria and treatment response.
Main Methods:
- Case report of an 83-year-old male with pulmonary asbestosis.
- Clinical evaluation including joint ultrasound.
- Diagnosis based on European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology (EULAR/ACR) criteria for PMR.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with subacute arthromyalgia and stiffness in shoulder and finger joints.
- Joint ultrasound revealed bilateral long head biceps involvement.
- Diagnosis of PMR was confirmed using EULAR/ACR criteria.
Conclusions:
- Polymyalgia rheumatica can occur in patients with a history of asbestos exposure and pulmonary asbestosis.
- Early diagnosis and steroid treatment are effective in managing PMR symptoms.
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