Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Disease

Diseases & Conditions

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Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Synonyms of Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Anarthritic Syndrome
Arthritic Rheumatoid Disease
PMR

Disorder Subdivisions

General Discussion
Polymyalgia rheumatica is a rare inflammatory disease characterized by muscle pain (myalgia), stiffness, and additional generalized systemic symptoms such as fatigue, low-grade fever, and/or a general feeling of ill health (malaise). Polymyalgia rheumatica can be a relatively benign condition that is extremely responsive to treatment. In some rare cases, permanent muscle weakness, degeneration and loss (atrophy) of muscle mass, and disability may occur. The exact cause of polymyalgia rheumatica is unknown, although immunological factors and familial tendencies (genetic predisposition) have been mentioned in the medical literature.

Polymyalgia rheumatica is closely related to giant cell arteritis, another inflammatory disorder. Giant cell arteritis is characterized by progressive inflammation of many arteries of the body. These two disorders have been described in the medical literature as possible variants of the same disease process. Some researchers believe they represent different ends of a disease continuum. The exact nature of the association is not fully understood.

Organizations related to Polymyalgia Rheumatica

American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
22100 Gratiot Avenue
Eastpointe MI 48021
Phone #: 586-776-3900
800 #: 800-598-4668
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.aarda.org/
Arthritis Foundation
1330 West Peachtree Street
Atlanta GA 30309
Phone #: 404-872-7100
800 #: 800-568-4045
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.arthritis.org
AutoImmunity Community
None
None None None
Phone #: (91-9) -552-9057
800 #: N/A
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://autoimmunitycommunity.org
Autoimmune Information Network, Inc
PO Box 4121
Brick NJ 08723
Phone #: 732-664-9259
800 #: N/A
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.aininc.org
European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID)
c/o Dr. Esther de Vries
Hertogenbosch None 5200 ME's
Phone #: +31- 73--6992965
800 #: N/A
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.esid.org
NIH/National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda MD 20892-3675
Phone #: 301-495-4484
800 #: 877-226-4267
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info
Vasculitis Foundation
P.O. Box 28660
Kansas City MO 64188
Phone #: 816-436-8211
800 #: 800-277-9474
e-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.vasculitisfoundation.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ? (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html