(GP)

Overview

• Inflammatory rhuematologic syndrome that is relatively common
• F>M (3:1), typically patients >60 yrs old (very rare in young individuals)
• Aetiology → genetic predisposition + association with giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis = unilateral vision loss, headache, jaw claudication, scalp tenderness)
• Amboss Overview

Making Diagnosis

Clinical Features:

• Shoulder/Hip Girdle Stiffness + Pain → typical presentation is morning stiffness + pain for >1 hour in these regions. Bilateral.
  • Doesn’t cause true weakness (any weakness is just due to muscle pain)
• Worse at night
• Acute Onset
• Systemic Symptoms → Fever, Weight Loss, Malaise, Depression
• Symptoms of Giant Cell Arteritis
• Rapid response to Steroids

Investigations: