Last Updated on January 17, 2025 by Analgesia team
PMR Medical Abbreviation
PMR is the medical abbreviation for polymyalgia rheumatica, a chronic inflammatory disease that causes pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and hip muscles.
Symptoms |
Pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the muscles around the shoulders, neck, and hips
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Other symptoms |
Fever, weakness, and weight loss
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Risk factors |
Older age, especially over 65
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Cause |
Unknown, but genetic and environmental factors are thought to contribute
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Diagnosis |
A doctor will use your medical history, symptoms, and a physical exam to make the diagnosis
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Treatment |
Doctors often prescribe prednisone, a steroid medicine
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Complications |
Giant cell arteritis (GCA), which can cause headaches and blurred vision
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PMR is most common in women and almost always occurs in people over 50. It can develop overnight or gradually. Symptoms are worse in the morning and lessen as the day goes on. With treatment, PMR usually disappears in a day or two. Without treatment, it usually goes away after a year or more.