Induction of Remission is Difficult due to Frequent Relapse during Tapering Steroids in Korean Patients with Polymyalgia Rheumatica.
10.3346/jkms.2012.27.1.22
- Author:
Hyoun Ah KIM
1
;
Jisoo LEE
;
You Jung HA
;
Sang Hyon KIM
;
Chan Hee LEE
;
Hyo Jin CHOI
;
Han Joo BAEK
;
Mie Jin LIM
;
Won PARK
;
Sungiae CHOI
;
Yeon Sik HONG
;
Yoo Hyun LEE
;
Bo Ram KOH
;
Chang Hee SUH
Author Information
1. Department of Rheumatology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. chsuh@ajou.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Polymyalgia Rheumatica;
Symptoms;
Treatment;
Steroids;
Remission;
Prognosis
- MeSH:
Aged;
Aged, 80 and over;
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use;
Blood Sedimentation;
Cohort Studies;
Female;
Humans;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Polymyalgia Rheumatica/*drug therapy/epidemiology;
Prognosis;
Recurrence;
Republic of Korea/epidemiology;
Retrospective Studies;
Seasons;
Steroids/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2012;27(1):22-26
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disease affecting elderly and involving the shoulder and pelvic girdles. No epidemiological study of polymyalgia rheumatica was conducted in Korea. We retrospectively evaluated patients with polymyalgia rheumatica followed up at the rheumatology clinics of 10 tertiary hospitals. In total 51 patients, 36 patients (70.6%) were female. Age at disease onset was 67.4 yr. Twenty-three patients (45.1%) developed polymyalgia rheumatica in winter. Shoulder girdle ache was observed in 45 patients (90%) and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (> 40 mm/h) in 49 patients (96.1%). Initial steroid dose was 23.3 mg/d prednisolone equivalent. Time to normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 4.1 months. Only 8 patients (15.7%) achieved remission. Among 41 patients followed up, 28 patients (68.3%) had flare at least once. Number of flares was 1.5 +/- 1.6. The frequency of flare was significantly lower in patients with remission (P = 0.02). In Korea, polymyalgia rheumatica commonly develops during winter. Initial response to steroid is fairly good, but the prognosis is not benign because remission is rare with frequent relapse requiring long-term steroid treatment.
