Other Inflammatory Conditions

1) Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) is a painful condition, which is characterised by stiffness of the proximal muscles (shoulder girdle and pelvic girdle), particularly in the morning and associated with elevated ESR and CRP blood tests. The condition is more common in women than men and may present over the age of 50 years, but the average age is about seventy. It may be accompanied by ‘flu’ like symptoms and a real difficulty in getting out of the bed and climbing stairs. It may be associated with a more severe and serious condition called temporal arteritis. This is characterised by severe headache and tenderness over the temples. Most people are unable to bear combing their hair. Both conditions are treated with corticosteroids orally, but temporal arteritis requires much higher doses, and is a medical emergency, due to the risk of blindness. The condition usually lasts for around 18 months to 2 years.
For further information visit Arthritis Research Campaign website.

2) Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE or Lupus)

This is a form of inflammatory arthritis, which is one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases. In this case, the immune system is acting in a faulty way, producing antibodies against the body's own tissues. In particular, connective tissue is attacked in the joints, skin and internal organs. Patients may have cold fingers and toes which change colour from white, blue to red (Raynaud's phenomenon) and a typical facial rash. Joint pain usually starts in the small joints of the hands and feet but may flit around. The facial rash is photosensitive and may, in some cases, be scarring.



A full rheumatology evaluation with blood and other tests is required. When the diagnosis has been made, patients are best looked after in specialist SLE centres.