Vasculitis & polymyalgia rheumatica
Changes to physical function and body composition during the first 2 years of polymyalgia rheumatica
Authors' conclusion
PMR has a lasting impact on physical function, particularly in females.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with recently diagnosed polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and age- and sex-matched controls
- Participants
- 36 vs 32
- Exposure
- Recently diagnosed PMR vs age- and sex-matched controls
- PMRn = 36
- Controlsn = 32reference
- Outcome
- Physical function, body composition and frailty
- Follow-up
- 3 months after GC initiation and 18 months later
Methodological detailsage- and sex-matched controls
- Age- and sex-matched controls
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
HAQ-DI score (higher = greater disability) · Both visits
Mean difference
0.33
P < 0.001
initial visit
Mean difference
0.39
P < 0.001
follow-up visit
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Mean difference (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five times chair stand test, females (subgroup) · Follow-upPMR performed more poorly | 3.27 (0.69–5.84) | P = 0.02 | |
| SPPB, females (subgroup) · Follow-up | −1.23 (−2.01 to −0.45) | P = 0.003 | |
| Gait speed, females (subgroup) · Follow-up | −0.24 (−0.36 to −0.12) | P < 0.001 | |
| Change in gait speed between timepoints, females (subgroup)Greater decline in PMR | −0.13 (−0.23 to −0.03) | P = 0.009 | |
| −50510Difference (linear scale) |
Pre-frailty rate (Fried's phenotype) · Initial visit
OR 4.7 · P = 0.003
Pre-frailty rate (Fried's phenotype) · Follow-up visit
OR 2.9 · P = 0.04
Change in body composition · Between timepoints
- No significant differences for change in body composition
Original publication
Changes to physical function and body composition during the first 2 years of polymyalgia rheumatica. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 11 July 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →