Difference between PMR and GCA?

[prunus]

As someone with GCA can I be educated on the differences between the two and how initially they know it is one and not the other?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The area that exhibits the symptoms - GCA is in the head area, PMR is mainly arms and legs and where they join the trunk. There is a middle line - possibly GCA, but you can't get a biopsy to prove it while the patient is alive, but referred to as LVV, large vessel vasculitis.

Figure 1 in this paper shows it clearly - and some of the text is not too difficult:

academic.oup.com/rheumatolo...

[prunus in reply to PMRpro]

Many thanks. Thought I'd download that to digest at my leisure. However it has not printed properly and then I ran out of paper. This after going to a funeral so have decided to leave it until my son comes - he's the computer expert not me. Again many thanks.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

This is another version of same thing -

GCA is classified as a large-vessel vasculitis but typically also involves medium and small arteries, particularly the superficial temporal arteries—hence the term temporal arteritis. In addition, GCA most commonly affects the ophthalmic, occipital, vertebral, posterior ciliary, and proximal vertebral arteries. Medium- and large-sized vessels that may be involved include the aorta and the carotid, subclavian, and iliac artery.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory disorder typically seen in older adults that causes widespread aching, stiffness and flu-like symptoms. It is more common in women than men, and is seen more often in Caucasians than any other race. *****The average age of onset is 70 years, and it is rarely seen in people younger than 50. PMR is a self-limiting condition, lasting from one to five years; however, it varies from person to person. Approximately 15 percent of people with PMR develop a potentially dangerous condition called giant cell arteritis (also known as temporal arteritis).

The cause of PMR is uncertain but it is believed to be an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own immune system attacks the connective tissues. Genetic and environmental factors (such as infections) are thought to play important roles. Because it is rare in people under age 50, its cause could be linked to the aging process.

**** not sure this fact is strictly true!

P.S. I only had GCA, and never had problems with hips or legs only shoulders and head - but the fatigue became almost overwhelming before diagnosis.

[prunus in reply to DorsetLady]

Many thanks for your reply. Like you I have "only" had the GCA and have never had problems with hips or legs. I certainly agree about the fatigue.

[jinasc]

pmr-gca-northeast.org.uk/us...

You can download and keep.

BSR Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment for both PMR & GCA

New updated guidelines for GCA, hopefully early 2019.

[prunus in reply to jinasc]

Many thanks will do.