1,721,011 research outputs found
Imaging of polymyalgia rheumatica: indications on its pathogenesis, diagnosis and prognosis.
No full textShould 18F-FDG-PET imaging be used in the diagnosis of GCA?
No full text18F-FDG-PET is not currently recommended for use in the diagnosis of cranial giant cell arteritis (GCA). A new study has compared 18F-FDG-PET with temporal artery biopsy and clinical diagnosis as gold standards, but is 18F-FDG-PET accurate enough to be used on temporal arteries
Update on treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica
No full textPolymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is the second most common inflammatory rheumatic disease in the elderly after rheumatoid arthritis. It is clinically characterised by pain and stiffness in the neck, proximal shoulder and hip girdle. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the cornerstone of PMR treatment, but they are associated with potentially severe side effects. Among GC-sparing agents, methotrexate revealed a modest benefit in clinical trials, and recently, there have been promising reports from tocilizumab. In this review, we summarize the available evidence on the treatment of PMR and the possible role in the future of other agents under investigation
Are the New ACR/EULAR Criteria the Ultimate Answer for Polymyalgia Rheumatica Classification?
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Treat to Target: A Valid Concept for Management of Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis?
No full textGiant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) are common inflammatory diseases of the elderly. They have variable clinical courses and are usually treated with glucocorticoids (GCs). Relapses are frequent in both conditions. Physicians should balance the tradeoff of treatment-related adverse events and risk of relapse. The ultimate goal of treatment is control of the disease while maintaining patient well-being. A treat-to-target approach may achieve the aim of controlling inflammation and preserving patient's functioning and quality of life, and would require pursuit and evaluation of clinical, laboratory, imaging, and structural targets to tackle the different manifestations of GCA and PMR
Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Management of Polymyalgia Rheumatica
No full textPolymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory rheumatic disease of the elderly characterised by pain and stiffness in the neck and pelvic girdle, and is the second most common inflammatory rheumatic condition in this age group, after rheumatoid arthritis. Polymyalgia rheumatica can occur independently or in association with giant cell arteritis, which is the most common form of primary vasculitis. The diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica is usually based on clinical presentation and increase of inflammatory markers. There are no pathognomonic findings that can confirm the diagnosis. However, different imaging techniques, especially ultrasonography, can assist in the identification of polymyalgia rheumatica. Glucocorticoids are the cornerstone of the treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica, but they might be associated with different adverse events. A subgroup of patients presents with a refractory disease course and, in these cases, adding methotrexate as a steroid-sparing agent could be useful. In this review, we summarise the latest findings regarding the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of polymyalgia rheumatica and try to highlight the possible pitfalls, especially in elderly patients
Dissecting the inflammatory response in polymyalgia rheumatica: the relative role of IL-6 and its inhibition
No full textThe efficacy of tocilizumab (TCZ), a monoclonal antibody to the interleukin (IL)-6 receptor, in suppressing disease activity in glucocorticoid-naïve patients with new-onset polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) was studied. Its effect on a panel of cytokines and growth factors was evaluated. Three patients, fulfilling the PMR ACR/EULAR criteria, received TCZ at the dosage of 8 mg/kg every 4 weeks for three times followed by prednisone 0.2 mg/kg in case of inefficacy. Concentrations of IL-10, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-17, interferon (IFN)-γ, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) were measured at baseline, after 72 h of the first TCZ infusion and then at weeks 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 16, and 22. A slight clinical improvement was seen only after the first TCZ infusion, but was largely inferior to that of conventional doses of GC administered subsequently. An ischaemic visual accident suggestive of GCA occurred in one patient during TCZ treatment. IL-6 was increased at baseline compared to controls, further increased after the first TCZ infusion, and was suppressed by GC. IL-17 production decreased during TCZ treatment and reverted to pre-treatment levels after GC. VEGF e PDGF showed a less constant pattern, but an increase of VEGF concentration antedated visual symptoms. The other cytokines were not detectable in patients and controls. In our small sample, TCZ was not able to suppress inflammation at the same degree as GC. As a result, monotherapy with TCZ in PMR cannot be recommended, although its efficacy as adjunctive treatment in GC-resistant patients should be further evaluate
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