Continuing Medical Education: Polymyalgia Rheumatica.

Edited By: Gregory C. Gardner, M.D.
Last updated Friday, January 07, 2005

Epidemiology

What is the epidemiology of polymyalgia rheumatica?

The annual incidence of PMR among patients over the age of 50 is 20-50/100,000.

Most cases are over the age of 60 but cases have been reported to occur in individuals in their mid 40's. Caucasians, especially those of Northern European descent are at the greatest risk. In addition, twice as many women as men are affected. In some selected populations, the prevalence of PMR may be as high as 500/100,000 (5).

Recently, HLA typing has identified the DR4 molecule as a risk factor for the development of PMR and temporal arteritis (TA) albeit a different subtype than that placing individuals at risk for RA.

Surgery for arthritis at the University of Washington

How useful was this page or article? This article is rated out of 5 stars (25 ratings). Not useful at all Not very useful Useful Very useful Extremely useful