Recommendations for early referral of individuals with suspected polymyalgia rheumatica: an initiative from the international giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica study group

Each individual with suspected or recently diagnosed polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) should be considered for specialist evaluation

Before referral to specialist care, a thorough history and clinical examination should be performed, preferably complemented with urgent basic laboratory investigations

Individuals with suspected PMR with severe symptoms should be referred for specialist evaluation using rapid access strategies

In individuals referred via rapid access, GC therapy should be deferred until after specialist evaluation

Individuals diagnosed with PMR in specialist care with a good initial response to GC and a low risk of GC-related adverse events can be managed in primary care