Treatment and prognosis in polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis. A ten-year survey of 53 patients

Predicting the risk of relapse in polymyalgia rheumatica: novel insights

INTRODUCTION

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a common inflammatory disease found in people older than 50 years of Northern European descent. It is characterized by pain and stiffness in the shoulders, arms, hips, and neck. Relapses are common in patients with PMR.

AREAS COVERED

This review describes when and how relapses occur in patients with PMR. Potential predisposing factors associated with relapses and management are also discussed. An extensive literature search on the PubMed database was conducted for publications on 'polymyalgia rheumatica' AND 'relapses' AND 'risk factors'.

EXPERT OPINION

Relapses are common in PMR being observed in approximately half of the patients. They often occur when the dose of prednisone is below 5-7.5 mg/day. The speed of glucocorticoid tapering is considered to be the main factor influencing the development of relapses in isolated PMRs. In addition, a genetic component may favor the presence of relapses in isolated PMRs. HLA-DRB1*0401 alleles were associated with an increased risk of relapse. An implication of the IL-6 promoter -174 G/C polymorphism and the GG241 ICAM-1 genotype  was also reported. With regard to serological biomarkers, elevated levels of angiopoietin-2 were associated with an unfavorable course of PMR. Methotrexate and anti-IL6 receptor antibody tocilizumab may be required in PMR patients with multiple relapses.

Association between glucocorticoid therapy and incidence of diabetes mellitus in polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) are almost always treated with glucocorticoids (GCs), but long-term GC use is associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). The absolute incidence of this complication in this patient group remains unclear.

Objective

To quantify the absolute risk of GC-induced DM in PMR and GCA from published literature.

Methods

We identified literature from inception to February 2017 reporting diabetes following exposure to oral GC in patients with PMR and/or GCA without pre-existing diabetes. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to summarise the findings.

Results

25 eligible publications were identified. In studies of patients with GCA, mean cumulative GC dose was almost 1.5 times higher than in studies of PMR (8.2 g vs 5.6 g), with slightly longer treatment duration and longer duration of follow-up (6.4 years vs 4.4 years). The incidence proportion (cumulative incidence) of patients who developed new-onset DM was 6% (95% CI 3% to 9%) for PMR and 13% (95% CI 9% to 17%) for GCA. Based on UK data on incidence rate of DM in the general population, the expected background incidence rate of DM over 4.4 years in patients with PMR and 6.4 years in patients with GCA (follow-up duration) would be 4.8% and 7.0%, respectively. Heterogeneity between studies was high (I²=79.1%), as there were differences in study designs, patient population, geographical locations and treatment. Little information on predictors of DM was found.

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis produced plausible estimates of DM incidence in patients with PMR and GCA, but there is insufficient published data to allow precise quantification of DM risk.

Plasma Fibrinogen Along with Patient-reported Outcome Measures Enhances Management of Polymyalgia Rheumatica: A Prospective Study

Objective.

We sought to prospectively examine the responsiveness of a number of patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), as well as their relationship to the biomarkers erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and plasma fibrinogen.

Methods.

Sixty patients with PMR were divided into active (n = 25) or inactive (n = 35) disease groups based on symptoms; physician assessment; and the biomarkers ESR, CRP, and plasma fibrinogen. Groups underwent assessment at baseline and 6 weeks. Disease activity measures and relevant PRO measures were recorded. Measures of responsiveness were compared for all PRO and biomarkers.

Results.

Visual analog scale disease activity (VASDA) and VAS quality of life (VASQOL) are more responsive to change in disease activity than VAS pain, morning stiffness, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and PMR-activity score (AS). Analysis of PMR-AS versus VASDA, VASQOL, and HAQ showed correlation coefficients of 0.87 (p < 0.001), 0.80 (p < 0.001), and 0.68 (p < 0.001), respectively. Receiver-operating curve (ROC) analysis revealed VASDA to be more specific than either HAQ (0.95 vs 0.85; p < 0.001) or VASQOL (0.95 vs 0.93; p < 0.001) for the detection of response to treatment in active PMR. Overall, fibrinogen showed superior correlation coefficients with the various PRO than either of the standard biomarkers ESR or CRP. In addition, standardized response means for fibrinogen, ESR, and CRP were 1.63, 1.2, and 1.05, respectively, indicating that plasma fibrinogen was the most responsive biomarker for assessment of change in disease activity.

Conclusion.

VASDA and VASQOL are the most responsive PRO to changes in disease activity in PMR. In addition, plasma fibrinogen demonstrated greater responsiveness to changes in disease activity and superior correlation with the various PRO measures recorded than did the standard biomarkers ESR and CRP.

Definition of remission and relapse in polymyalgia rheumatica: data from a literature search compared with a Delphi-based expert consensus

Objective

To compare current definitions of remission and relapse in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) with items resulting from a Delphi-based expert consensus.

Methods

Relevant studies including definitions of PMR remission and relapse were identified by literature search in PubMed. The questionnaire used for the Delphi survey included clinical (n=33), laboratory (n=54) and imaging (n=7) parameters retrieved from a literature search. Each item was assessed for importance and availability/practicability, and limits were considered for metric parameters. Consensus was defined by an agreement rate of ≥80%.

Results

Out of 6031 articles screened, definitions of PMR remission and relapse were available in 18 and 34 studies, respectively. Parameters used to define remission and/or relapse included history and clinical assessment of pain and synovitis, constitutional symptoms, morning stiffness (MS), physician's global assessment, headache, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), blood count, fibrinogen and/or corticosteroid therapy. In the Delphi exercise a consensus was obtained on the following parameters deemed essential for definitions of remission and relapse: patient's pain assessment, MS, ESR, CRP, shoulder and hip pain on clinical examination, limitation of upper limb elevation, and assessment of corticosteroid dose required to control symptoms.

Conclusions

Assessment of patient's pain, MS, ESR, CRP, shoulder pain/limitation on clinical examination and corticosteroid dose are considered to be important in current available definitions of PMR remission and relapse and the present expert consensus. The high relevance of clinical assessment of hips was unique to this study and may improve specificity and sensitivity of definitions for remission and relapse in PMR.

Long-term corticosteroid treatment in giant cell arteritis

Ninety patients with giant cell arteritis were followed up 9-16 years (median 11.3 years) after diagnosis. The mean duration of corticosteroid therapy was 5.8 years (range 0-12.8 years). Together, the patients had received corticosteroids for 492 patient-years. Five years after diagnosis, 43% of the patients were on corticosteroid therapy. After 9 years, 15 of 60 surviving patients (25%) were still being treated with 1.25-10 mg of prednisolone daily (median dose 5 mg). The relapse rate was about 50%, regardless of the time after diagnosis, when an attempt to withdraw the treatment was made. Forty-six per cent of the relapses occurred within one month and 96% within one year of the end of treatment. Most of the flare-ups occurred during the first year of therapy and in 55% of the patients on a prednisolone dosage of 5 mg or less. We did not find any increase in morbidity in our patients compared to the general population. Nor did we see any significant complications which we could attribute to the steroid treatment.

Prognosis of giant cell arteritis including temporal arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica. A follow-up study on ninety patients treated with corticosteroids

Ninety patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) were followed 3-10 years after the diagnosis. The mean observation time was 63 months. Thirteen patients died. Corticosteroids were administered to all but one patient; 35 were still on treatment after a mean observation period of 59 months. In 38 patients, 94 flare-ups of the disease were recorded during corticosteroid treatment, most of them occurring during the first year of treatment and when a low dose of prednisolone had been given. Thirty-three relapses, 76% within 3 months, occurred in 28 patients after withdrawal of treatment. One patient relapsed after more than ten years of disease. Polymyalgia rheumatica was the most common symptom of flare-up or relapse, regardless of the clinical picture at the time of diagnosis. The duration of treatment should be individualized. One year of treatment is enough in a few patients, whereas others need steroid therapy for more than four years. The rate of intercurrent disease and complications of GCA or its treatment was low. No patient developed severe eye damage due to GCA. The mortality rate was in fact lower than expected with regard to age and sex.

Long-term survival in giant cell arteritis including temporal arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica. A follow-up study of 90 patients treated with corticosteroids

Ninety patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) were followed for 9-16 years after diagnosis. Corticosteroids were given to all but one patient. Forty-two patients died during the observation period (27 women and 15 men). The survival was compared with that in the general population and found not to be reduced among the GCA patients. In fact, we found a lower mortality than expected after five years from diagnosis (p less than 0.05). We did not see any increase in deaths due to vascular or malignant diseases in our patients.

An alternate-day corticosteroid regimen in maintenance therapy of giant cell arteritis

It is well established that the side-effects of corticosteroid treatment can be reduced by administering the steroid on alternate days. Twenty-seven patients with giant cell arteritis were given daily treatment initially, followed by a gradual transition to alternate-day treatment. It was possible to maintain 18 (67%) of 27 patients on this regimen. In 9 (33%) the regimen was abandoned because of clinical symptoms on the "day off". These patient, however, could be maintained with a single morning dose of the corticosteroid. Morning plasma cortisol levels on the treatment day were normal in all patients treated with 20 mg prednisolone or less every other day.

Giant cell arteritis

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an immune-mediated vasculitis, affecting medium- to large-sized arteries, in individuals over the age of 50 years. Visual loss is a frequent complication of GCA, and once it occurs it tends to be both permanent and profound. Although major advances have been made in recent years in genetics, molecular biology and the description of the vessel wall morphology, the aetiology and pathogenesis of GCA are still incompletely understood. Over the years there has been much debate over whether polymyalgia rheumatica and GCA are separate or linked entities. Recent investigations support that polymyalgia rheumatica and GCA are two different expressions of the same underlying vasculitic disorder. A single cause or aetiological agent has not as yet been identified. Except for the histopathology of the arterial wall, there are no laboratory findings specific for GCA, and no particular signs or symptoms specific for the diagnosis. GCA typically causes vasculitis of the extracranial branches of the aorta and spares intracranial vessels. Transmural inflammation of the arteries induces luminal occlusion through intimal hyperplasia. Clinical symptoms reflect end-organ ischaemia. Branches of the external and internal carotid arteries are particularly susceptible. Corticosteroids remain the only proven treatment for GCA, the regimen initially involving high doses followed by a slow taper. However, early detection and treatment with high-dose corticosteroids is effective in preventing visual deterioration in most patients.

Current concepts in giant cell (temporal) arteritis

Giant cell (temporal) arteritis continues to be a sight-threatening, systemic vasculitis with a poorly understood pathogenesis. The characteristic granulomatous inflammation of the vessel wall commonly leads to local ischemia. Recent advances in immunological investigations have characterized the cellular components of the disease process, but the etiology has so far remained unresolved. A reappraisal of the clinical features of giant cell (temporal) arteritis demonstrates the heterogeneity of the manifestations of the disease, including ischemic optic neuropathy. A range of new laboratory investigations and blood flow studies with color Doppler imaging have demonstrated promising roles, with respect to diagnosis and long-term follow-up. Prompt diagnosis and expeditious treatment require a high index of clinical suspicion, particularly for atypical cases. Corticosteroids remain the treatment of choice, other immuno-suppressive agents being used as second line steroid-sparing agents. Giant cell (temporal) arteritis leads to increased vascular and visual morbidity and, if untreated, may prove fatal. To maintain high standards of management of this enigmatic disorder, ophthalmologists need to be aware of the clinical spectrum of giant cell (temporal) arteritis and currently available diagnostic tests and treatment strategies.

Polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis: a retrospective study of 111 patients

There is no unanimity as to whether polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and temporal arteritis (TA) are two distinct diseases or different features of one disease. The objective of this study was to assess the value of histological findings of temporal artery biopsy and the efficacy and complications of drug therapy as well as the frequency of malignancies. It was carried out as a retrospective follow-up study. One hundred eleven patients (89 PMR, 14 TA and 8 PMR+TA) were studied. In 56 patients with PMR a temporal artery biopsy was performed; in none of these biopsies was active arteritis found. Of the 19 patients with TA or PMR+TA, where a temporal artery biopsy was performed, arteritis was found in 15 patients. Reactivation occurred in 27 patients: 4 patients using NSAIDs and 23 patients using corticosteroids. Side effect of the medication included vertebral compression in 10 patients, most of whom were using corticosteroids. Malignancies were diagnosed in 12 of the 111 patients. Most malignancies were diagnosed long before or after the diagnosis of PMR. In case of a PMR diagnosed by the clinician a biopsy of the temporal artery has no value, while the yield of this diagnostic procedure is high in TA. Reactivation was seen quite often and warrants a prolonged period of medical treatment.

Aortic and extracranial large vessel giant cell arteritis: a review of 72 cases with histopathologic documentation

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is closely identified with the temporal arteritis-polymyalgia rheumatica syndrome of the elderly. It is also a systemic disease that can cripple and kill. Up to 15% of patients with temporal arteritis may have angiographic evidence of extracranial GCA, and aortic insufficiency, ruptured aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, stroke, or myocardial infarction may be the initial manifestation of systemic GCA. A review of 72 cases of aortic and extracranial GCA, all with histopathologic verification of the disease, revealed that 25% of patients with aortic and extracranial large-vessel GCA had asymptomatic temporal arteritis; the ascending aorta and aortic arch were most frequently involved (39%), followed by the subclavian and axillary arteries (26%), and the femoropopliteal arteries (18%). Nine patients (12.5%) underwent an upper or lower limb amputation. Of the 18 patients whose death was directly attributable to extracranial GCA the causes were ruptured aortic aneurysm (6), aortic dissection (6), stroke (3), and myocardial infarction (3). The findings of these 72 cases caution against attributing all aortic and large-vessel arterial disease in the elderly to atherosclerosis and emphasize that timely surgical intervention may be necessary for life-saving and limb-salvage in patients with aortic and extracranial GCA.

The clinical and laboratory course of polymyalgia rheumatica/giant cell arteritis after the first two months of treatment

OBJECTIVES

To examine the clinical course of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) in a prospective study, after the initial two months.

METHODS

Seventy four patients with PMR/GCA were followed for a median of 60 weeks. Detailed clinical and laboratory records were made on each visit.

RESULTS

Twenty per cent of patients with PMR developed GCA and 24% of patients with GCA developed PMR from the onset of symptoms. After two months, most patients experienced at least one relapse. Relapses and persistence of abnormal symptoms and signs were most common in patients with both PMR and GCA and least common in those with GCA alone. Relapses were most common in the first year and 54% occurred in association with steroid reduction. Major complications were rare. Laboratory parameters and temporal artery histology were not helpful in predicting relapse. Only 24% of patients were able to stop steroid treatment after two years.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians should consider more frequent review in patients at times of steroid reduction and especially within the first six months of treatment.

Giant cell arteritis and visual loss. A 3-year retrospective hospital investigation in a Danish county

An ophthalmic status is given for 95 consecutive patients referred from other departments of the Central County Hospital 1986-88 due to suspected giant cell arteritis. Eventually, the diagnosis was confirmed in 51/95 (18 had positive biopsy of the temporal artery; in 33 it was on clinical grounds). Nine of the 51 had significant visual loss, in one even as bilateral blindness. Generalized malignancies were found in 2 of the 44 with diagnosis other than giant cell arteritis. Retrospectively, in the same 3-year period a total of 263 cases of giant cell arteritis were registered in the somatic hospitals of the county (population 340,000). One further case with visual loss became known from requests to the primary health sector ophthalmologists. Between 3-4% were thus known to have significant visual loss, a result mainly in keeping with other Nordic clinical studies. Probably, the low figures of visual impairment are related to high diagnostic rates of giant cell arteritis, and to early treatment. Our hospital-based data of giant cell arteritis gave a calculated annual incidence of 1 per 1000 of those older than 50 years in the county, or 27/100,000 including all ages. The true county incidence would be even higher had it been possible to find and include the additional cases of giant cell arteritis who were diagnosed and treated in the primary health sector only.

Bénéfice des corticoïdes lors du traitement de la maladie de Horton et de la pseudopolyarthrite rhizomélique: avantages et inconvénients. Une méta-analyse

Although corticosteroid treatment is clearly beneficial to patients with temporal arteritis, its exact risk/benefit ratio in these old and side effects-prone patients is unknown. We have thus surveyed that available French and English literature, in order to pool the published series and to evaluate the iatrogenic potential of corticosteroids in this situation. We selected 11 series, yielding a total of 1008 patients. A treatment failure resulted in the death of the patient in five cases. Twenty-seven patients became blind, but only 2 under treatment. The side-effects involved 29% of the patients and are responsible of 29 deaths (2.9%): osteoporosis was the main problem, followed by femoral head necrosis and muscle wasting. Gastroduodenal ulcers were uncommon and generally benign; sigmoid colon diverticulitis was infrequent but dangerous; some infectious complications were noted (herpes zoster, tuberculosis, etc...); high blood pressure and diabetes were common problems. Psychiatric side-effects were rare. Thus, the unwanted effects of corticosteroids in the treatment of temporal arteritis are relatively infrequent and generally not severe, except osteoporosis. They should be systematically prevented by appropriate diet and treatments (e.g., calcium, potassium, and vitamin D supplements).

Clinical and laboratory findings with giant cell arteritis

Out of 66 patients who were diagnosed as suffering from polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR; n = 40), temporal arteritis (AT; n = 14) or both (n = 12) in a 6.5 year period (incidence 3.4/100,000 per year), 9 died and 49 were followed up for an average period of 28 months. Exacerbations of the illness (n = 24) and complications in the course (n = 32) were more frequent with an initial ESR greater than 90 mm/h. Postural vertigo (n = 11), amaurosis fugax (n = 11) and polyneuropathy (n = 8) were the most frequent neurological complications. Persisting unilateral blindness and aromatic anosmia developed in 2 patients each. Complications were significantly more frequent in patients with initial symptoms of AT (chi 2 P less than 0.001). CRP-levels correlated better with persisting symptoms in the course than did the ESR. Recurrences after treatment were significantly more frequent when the length of corticosteroid-therapy was less than 20 months (chi 2 P less than 0.009). On follow up there were normal values for neopterin, tumour necrosis factor and antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi.

Prognosis of polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis

Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis are amongst the most satisfying conditions for clinicians to diagnose and treat because the unpleasant effects and serious consequences of these conditions can be almost entirely prevented by corticosteroid treatment; the fact that the side-effects of this treatment sometimes seem to be more serious than the complications of the disease is an indication of its effectiveness. Unfortunately, there is no objective way of determining the prognosis in the individual, and decisions concerning duration of treatment remain empirical.

Treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica/giant cell arteritis

Corticosteroids control arteritis in GCA and suppress polymyalgic symptoms within days of starting treatment. PMR patients can be treated with approximately 15 mg prednisolone/day, reducing the dose to 7.5-10 mg by 8 weeks. GCA is normally controlled on 40 mg prednisolone/day, although patients with persistent visual symptoms may need 60-80 mg. Slow reduction to about 20 mg by 8 weeks should minimize relapses. For both PMR and GCA a maintenance dose of 7.5 mg after 6-9 months should be enough. Steroid withdrawal is possible within 2 years of starting treatment, although some will need 4 years or more. Relapse should be defined clinically; the ESR is the most useful laboratory parameter. Steroid side-effects can be minimized by using low doses of prednisolone whenever possible and azathioprine may be used as a steroid-sparing agent.

Excess mortality in giant cell arteritis

A 13-year departmental sample of 34 patients with definite (biopsy-verified) giant cell arteritis (GCA) was reviewed. The mortality of this material was compared to sex-, age- and time-specific death rates in the Danish population. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was 1.8 (95% confidence limits, 1.1-2.8). During the same period 146 patients with probable (not biopsied, but clinically diagnosed in the department) GCA and 85 cases of possible (diagnosed and treated before admission) GCA had been admitted to the department. Those two groups did not differ from the biopsy-verified group with respect to SMR, sex distribution or age. In the group of patients with department-diagnosed GCA (definite + probable = 180 patients), the 95% confidence interval for the SMR of the women included 1.0. In all other subgroups there was a significant excess mortality. Excess mortality has been found in two of seven previous studies on survival in GCA. The prevailing opinion that steroid-treated GCA does not affect the life expectancy of patients is probably not correct.

Osteoporosis after long-term corticosteroid treatment of giant cell arteritis

The mineral content of the heel bone, and signs of osteoporosis on X-ray of the spine, were evaluated in 26 patients (20 women and 6 men) with giant cell arteritis (GCA), treated with prednisolone for an average period of 5 years. The mean age was 78 years (range 66-95 years). These results were compared with those obtained from a large population study of individuals aged 72, 75, 82 and 85 years. An increase of obvious and severe spinal osteoporosis from 16 to 85% was observed in the women in the population study between the ages of 72 and 85. No additional osteoporosis that could be attributed to the cortisone treatment was found among the GCA patients. The bone mineral content was not reduced in the patients compared to the general population. We conclude that there is no justification for attempting non-steroid treatment in GCA on account of the risk of osteoporosis. Corticosteroids are the only safe treatment for prevention of complications of GCA.

Addison's disease, malignant lymphoma and death from cerebral giant cell arteritis

A 61-year-old woman with Addison's disease and malignant lymphoma for several years was admitted to hospital with a 2-month history of fatigue and a 7 kg weight loss. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 92 mm h-1 and a temporal biopsy was performed as a part of the clinical investigation. She suddenly suffered a paresis of the right arm, sudden blindness and her blood pressure fell to 100/60 mmHg. Hydrocortisone was given intravenously followed by betamethasone, and an Addison crisis as well as a giant cell arteritis (GCA) was suspected. Activity in the malignant lymphoma was also a possibility. The patient did not improve and died 8 d later. The temporal biopsy indicated GCA. The autopsy showed a pronounced intimal inflammatory reaction of the intracerebral arteries and an infarction in the left posterior hemisphere. A possible link between GCA and other autoimmune diseases is discussed.

Treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis. II. Relation between steroid dose and steroid associated side effects

In a prospective study of 74 patients and a retrospective study of 35 patients with polymyalgia rheumatica/giant cell arteritis steroid related side effects occurred in at least one third of patients, and in two thirds if weight gain was included. Side effects were significantly related to an initial prednisolone dose of more than 30 mg and to the cumulative prednisolone dose. Patients taking a mean daily dose of 5 mg prednisolone or less were significantly less likely to develop side effects.

Temporal arteritis: a decision-analytic approach to temporal artery biopsy

The clinical indications for temporal artery biopsy were explored using clinical decision analysis. The analysis indicated that biopsy is most useful in patients with a high likelihood of steroid side effects. It is nearly always useful when the pre-biopsy likelihood of temporal arteritis is low, but loses its value when temporal arteritis is likely on clinical grounds, except when there is a very high probability of steroid side effects. With the low biopsy sensitivity likely to exist in most institutions, the value of biopsy falls off particularly steeply with rising clinical likelihood of temporal arteritis.

Giant cell arteritis, temporal arteritis, and polymyalgia rheumatica in a Danish county. A prospective investigation, 1982-1985

The annual incidence of giant cell arteritis (the term used in this study to encompass the syndromes of temporal arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica, occurring either together or alone) was prospectively determined in a Danish county that had a population of approximately 200,000. In a single year, 46 new cases of giant cell arteritis were diagnosed, a number which corresponds to an incidence in the overall population of 21.5/10(5), and to an incidence of 76.6/10(5) for individuals age 50 years or older. These rates are higher than those previously reported in retrospective studies. The 3-year followup of all patients showed no onset of other diseases that would require a revision of the original diagnosis. There was no deviation from the age- and sex specific malignancy rate or the mortality rate in the overall population. Women had an incidence rate 4 to 5 times higher than that seen in men. Symptoms, for the most part, were the same as those found in other studies; however, vision loss was not observed during the followup period. Point prevalence at the start of the study was 37.8/10(5), which is below the rates previously reported. This is probably because of failure on the part of participating physicians to record all cases.

Brain stem infarction as a complication of giant-cell arteritis

Two cases of brain stem infarction as an early and fatal complication of giant-cell arteritis are reported. These complications occurred despite adequate treatment with corticosteroids. The findings at autopsy are compared with those of the literature. The possible pathogenetic mechanisms of vertebro basilar occlusion and the therapeutical implications are discussed.

Polymyalgia rheumatica. Duration of therapy and long-term outcome

The duration of therapy and outcome were examined in 76 patients with polymyalgia rheumatica without evidence of temporal arteritis at presentation. Seventy-five patients received corticosteroids, with a mean prednisone dosage of 22.8 mg per day initially. Duration of therapy was assessed using life-table methods. No significant difference could be ascertained between groups segregated on the basis of age, sex, or initial steroid dosage. The median duration of therapy was 37.3 months. It was estimated that 40 percent of patients will require therapy longer than four years. Corticosteroids were permanently discontinued in 31 patients after a mean of 23.7 months of therapy. The data support the concept of two patient populations--one with limited disease and another requiring long-term therapy. Relapses were frequent, occurring in 56 percent of patients. Evolution of arteritis during the course of therapy was infrequent, occurring in only one patient. Steroid-related adverse effects occurred in 22.7 percent of patients and were more common in females. The data suggest that, although corticosteroids may be discontinued in some patients with polymyalgia rheumatica, prolonged therapy is required in a significant number.

Autoimmune thyroid disease and giant cell arteritis: a review, case report and epidemiological study

A 75-year-old man with the simultaneous onset of Graves' disease and giant cell arteritis is described. Although there have been few previous reports of simultaneous onset, literature review and a retrospective study of the records of this hospital suggest that the association of Graves' disease and the polymyalgia rheumatica-giant cell arteritis syndrome is not simple coincidence. The patient's course was complicated by cerebral infarction secondary to either arterial thrombo-embolism or arteritis.

Cranial arteritis. A twenty-year review of cases

Thirty-five cases of cranial arteritis in an Australian population have been analysed. The female to male ratio was 2.2:1 and the average age of onset was 71 years. Eighty-five percent of patients suffered headache and this was most frequently temporal or bitemporal. Polymyalgia rheumatica (40%), permanent visual loss (29%) and jaw claudication (26%) were common, six patients complained of diplopia and four gave a past history of thyroid disease. The temporal artery was clinically abnormal in only 69% of cases but biopsy was positive in 26 of 28 specimens examined. Sixty-seven percent of patients had ESR's greater than 60 mm/h. The average duration of prednisone therapy was 22 months. Side effects of steroids were observed in seven of 19 patients followed up. The importance of starting steroid therapy as soon as the condition is suspected clinically is emphasised by the case of one patient who lost vision while awaiting temporal artery biopsy.

Risk-benefit considerations in the management of polymyalgia rheumatica

Management of the polymyalgia rheumatica syndrome (PMR) is controversial. Gratifying symptomatic response usually occurs after treatment with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs or low doses of corticosteroids. However, some PMR patients are at risk of sudden blindness from an associated disease, giant cell arteritis (GCA). Blindness can be prevented by using higher and more toxic doses of corticosteroids. Temporal artery biopsy can be an aid in diagnosis, though it is not a completely sensitive test for GCA. This study employs decision analysis and derived risk-benefit ratios (equivalent to utility ratios) to evaluate five possible PMR management strategies. The incremental risk-benefit analysis provides a means for weighing intangible trade-offs without a formal utility analysis. Given base case assumptions derived from the literature, empirical treatment with high-dose steroids cannot be justified for PMR patients who have no cranial arteritic symptoms, because the acceptable risk-benefit ratio associated with this strategy is more than 90 cases of severe medication side effects per case of monocular blindness averted.

Polymyalgia rheumatica and corticosteroids: how much for how long?

In a prospective study of 176 patients in whom polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) or giant cell arteritis (GCA) had been diagnosed between 1968 and 1980 the effect of corticosteroid treatment was studied. In those with PMR alone an initial regimen of 10 mg prednisolone daily and for the majority of those with GCA 20 mg daily were adequate to control symptoms. No patient suffered a serious disease complication after starting treatment. Regular follow-up enabled the minimum effective corticosteroid dose to be used. Complications of treatment were infrequent. Corticosteroid treatment has been withdrawn from 72 patients after a mean of 31 months treatment (range 3-103 months). Thirty subsequently relapsed, all within 21 months of withdrawal. No clinical feature predicted those who were more likely to relapse. No rigid treatment schedule should be used in these diseases.

Rheumatoid arthritis masquerading as polymyalgia rheumatica: report of two cases

Polymyalgia rheumatica is a syndrome rather than a specific entity. The cases of two elderly patients are reported. These patients presented with typical polymyalgia rheumatica, but later were shown to have rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis in the elderly may first masquerade as polymyalgia rheumatica.