Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffSymptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica can greatly affect a person's ability to perform everyday activities. The pain and stiffness may contribute to difficulties with the following tasks:
- Getting out of bed, standing up from a chair or getting out of a car
- Bathing, combing your hair or performing other tasks related to personal hygiene
- Getting dressed or putting on a coat
These complications can affect a person's health, social interactions, physical activity and general well-being.
- Michet CJ, et al. Polymyalgia rheumatica. BMJ. 2008;336:765.
- Unwin B, et al. Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis. American Family Physician. 2006;74:1547.
- Polymyalgia rheumatica. American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/polymyalgiarheumatica.asp. Accessed April 14, 2010.
- Polymyalgia rheumatica. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual of Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec04/ch033/ch033i.html. Accessed April 6, 2010.
- Salvarani C, et al. Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant-cell arteritis. Lancet. 2008;372:234.
- Giant cell arteritis. American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/giantcellarteritis.asp. Accessed April 15, 2010.
- Glucocorticosteroid-induced osteoporosis. American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/gi-osteoporosis.asp. Accessed April 15, 2010.

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