Vasculitis & polymyalgia rheumatica
Patient-reported outcome measures in incident Polymyalgia Rheumatica: Changes after treatment initiation, short-term glucocorticoid discontinuation, and at one-year follow-up
Authors' conclusion
PROMs, particularly pain-related VAS scores, may predict relapse and guide individualised tapering strategies in patients with PMR.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with incident polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), without concomitant or late-onset GCA, from three Danish rheumatology departments, initiating glucocorticoid (GC) treatment
- Participants
- 60 patients
- Outcome
- Change in PROMs (pain VAS, PMR VAS, morning stiffness duration, SF-36) after GC initiation
- Follow-up
- Week 8
Methodological detailsmulticentre
- Multicentre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
PROMs from baseline to week 8
- All patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) improved from baseline to week 8
- p < 0.001
- Average decrease in visual analogue scales (VAS) scores
- 59 mm
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
PROMs after short-term GC discontinuation, week 8 to 10
- All PROMs except the SF-36 mental component score worsened
- P < 0.01
Pain VAS and PMR VAS at one year vs week 8
- Higher after one year than at week 8
- P < 0.01
Relapse at week 10 vs no relapse
- Higher VAS scores and lower SF-36 physical subscale scores with relapse
- P < 0.05
Correlation of PhGA with PMR VAS, shoulder pain and global pain
- Strong correlation
- r > 0.75, p < 0.01
Original publication
Patient-reported outcome measures in incident Polymyalgia Rheumatica: Changes after treatment initiation, short-term glucocorticoid discontinuation, and at one-year follow-up. Semin Arthritis Rheum. Published 16 April 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →