[Polymyalgia rheumatica. Clinical histological study of 46 cases]

The nosological relationship between Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and Cranial Arteritis has been studied by comparing 46 cases of PMR with 21 cases of cranial arteritis. Symptoms consistent with cranial arteritis were present in 83% of the PMR patients, but only 32% showed giant cell arteritis in the biopsy of temporal arteries. The difference is explained by the segmental involvement of the arteritis. The patients with cranial arteritis had symptoms of PMR in 48%. It is concluded, that PMR and cranial arteritis are both manifestations of the same disease. Temporary signs of generalized arteritis seem to occur often in PMR and may lead to fatal complications. PMR may last up to ten years. Because of the potential fatality of this disease, a temporal artery biopsy is indicated in every suspicious case in order to provide a sound basis for the required long term therapy with corticosteroids.