To examine the clinical course of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) in a prospective study, after the initial two months.
Seventy four patients with PMR/GCA were followed for a median of 60 weeks. Detailed clinical and laboratory records were made on each visit.
Twenty per cent of patients with PMR developed GCA and 24% of patients with GCA developed PMR from the onset of symptoms. After two months, most patients experienced at least one relapse. Relapses and persistence of abnormal symptoms and signs were most common in patients with both PMR and GCA and least common in those with GCA alone. Relapses were most common in the first year and 54% occurred in association with steroid reduction. Major complications were rare. Laboratory parameters and temporal artery histology were not helpful in predicting relapse. Only 24% of patients were able to stop steroid treatment after two years.
Clinicians should consider more frequent review in patients at times of steroid reduction and especially within the first six months of treatment.