EditorialGiant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica: two different but often overlapping conditions
Section snippets
Are GCA and PMR different clinical expressions of a common disease?
Both conditions are characterized by late age at disease onset, are more common in women, exhibit evidence of systemic inflammatory response, and generally respond well to steroids (1). The frequency of GCA and PMR increases with aging and peaks in patients older than 70 years 1, 2.
GCA patients often present clinical manifestations of PMR (3). In biopsy-proven GCA PMR manifestations are observed in up to 50% of cases 1, 2, 8, 9. PMR may be the presenting feature in patients who later develop
Conclusions
Both GCA are common and often concurrent diseases in the elderly. Although in some cases polymyalgia manifestations may be observed in patients with biopsy-proven GCA, PMR may be the only clinical feature or the phenotypic expression of a great variety of conditions. Clinical features and immunogenetic studies show subtle differences between GCA and PMR.
Miguel A. Gonzalez-Gay MD, PhD: Rheumatology Division, Hospital Xeral-Calde, Lugo, Spain.
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Miguel A. Gonzalez-Gay MD, PhD: Rheumatology Division, Hospital Xeral-Calde, Lugo, Spain.