Vasculitis & polymyalgia rheumatica
Prevalence and characteristics of subclinical polymyalgia rheumatica in patients with giant cell arteritis
Authors' conclusion
Subclinical PMR findings are frequently detected by PET-CT in patients with apparently isolated GCA, supporting the concept of a GCA-PMR spectrum disease.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with newly diagnosed giant cell arteritis (GCA) who underwent 18F-FDG PET-CT at diagnosis, single centre
- Participants
- 168 patients
- Exposure
- Subclinical polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) vs clinical PMR vs pure GCA, classified by PET findings and clinical symptoms
- Subclinical PMRn = 57
- Outcome
- Prevalence of subclinical PMR in patients with apparently isolated GCA
- Follow-up
- At diagnosis
Methodological detailssingle-centre
- Single-centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
PET findings consistent with subclinical PMR in apparently isolated GCA
Subclinical PMR
56%
57
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | P value |
|---|---|
| Large-vessel involvement, subclinical PMR vs pure GCASubclinical PMR vs Pure GCA · thoracic aorta; greater involvement in subclinical PMR | P = 0.023 |
| Large-vessel involvement, subclinical PMR vs pure GCASubclinical PMR vs Pure GCA · abdominal aorta; greater involvement in subclinical PMR | P = 0.0001 |
| Large-vessel involvement, subclinical PMR vs pure GCASubclinical PMR vs Pure GCA · supra-aortic trunks; greater involvement in subclinical PMR | P = 0.007 |
Musculoskeletal FDG uptake
- Less extensive musculoskeletal FDG uptake in subclinical PMR than in clinical PMR
- Compared with pure PMR, a milder and more localized inflammatory pattern, mainly affecting the shoulder and pelvic girdles
Cranial manifestations, severe ischaemic events, systemic inflammation, relapse rates
- No significant differences across groups
Original publication
Prevalence and characteristics of subclinical polymyalgia rheumatica in patients with giant cell arteritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 2 June 2026. doi:10.
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