PMR - Inflammatory Arthritis?

[Prospecter79]

I was reading the post about the new Biologic medication named Kevzara yesterday. I was very surprised that in the Medscape link PMR is labeled as “Inflammatory Arthritis “. I had no idea that it flew under this banner. Any thoughts on this?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It doesn't amongst real experts because it isn't - arthritis affects and damages joints. PMR causes synovitis but doesn't erode joints. There is no proof it is a vasculitis other than the close relationship to GCA which is definitely a vasculitis

[Prospecter79 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for the explanation. Glad you are there!

[sennetta]

I was told on 23rd Feb by the first rheumatologist I have ever met, that my pmr which started in 2017 and "finished" in 2019 was the start of the sero-negative inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis as diagnosed by him on that day using ultra-sound. I was surprised to say the least!

[Prospecter79 in reply to sennetta]

I only became curious about the “inflammatory” after being asked by my physiotherapist if there was any inflammatory arthritis in my history. BTW, I had PMR for 4.5 years. You did well to be free in 2.

[5goFlotilla in reply to sennetta]

Hi Sennetta my Rheumatologist who I have been fortunate to see several times in 18 months has said I don’t have PMR and very keen to get me off Prednisolone , now on 5 mg having been diagnosed by my GP with PMR .

He noticed some new swelling in my middle right finger ,I have Osteo. in my hands . He went on to Ultra Sound the hand and declared I have inflammatory arthritis and has asked me to start Sulphasalazine in 2 weeks bloods are all also sero-negative .

What did you do ? I am struggling a bit as I don’t think I have any other IA symptoms .

Thanks

[venezia1]

Hi - I'm surprised Kevzara is still considered "new". I've been taking it for over two years and it has really helped me - my RA is in remission.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to venezia1]

New for GCA/PMR. Though as drugs go it is pretty new - it was approved by the FDA in 2017,

[venezia1 in reply to PMRpro]

Gosh - I was lucky, then!