bone, joint, and muscle disorders
Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Diagnosis of Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Physical examination Blood tests Response to corticosteroids Doctors base the diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica on symptoms and the results of a physical examination. Doctors do other tests, such as blood tests, to distinguish polymyalgia rheumatica from other disorders. Blood tests usually include the following: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein levels, or both: In people with polymyalgia rheumatica, results of both tests are usually very high, indicating active inflammation. Complete blood count : This test is done to check for anemia and high platelet count, which usually develops in people with polymyalgia rheumatica. Thyroid function tests (TSH): This test is done to rule out hypothyroidism, which can cause weakness and sometimes pain of the shoulder and hip muscles. Creatine kinase: This test is done to check for muscle tissue damage (myopathy), which can cause weakness and pain of the shoulder and hip muscles. If the level of creatine kinase in the blood is elevated, muscle damage is likely. In people with polymyalgia rheumatica, muscle damage is absent, so the creatine kinase level is normal. Rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies testing: These Antibodies are present in up to 80% of people with rheumatoid arthritis but not in those with polymyalgia rheumatica. This test helps doctors distinguish between the two. The diagnosis is also supported by how people respond to corticosteroids because most people with polymyalgia rheumatica feel much better very quickly when treated with low doses of corticosteroids. 