Vasculitis & polymyalgia rheumatica
Recommendations of the German, Austrian and Swiss rheumatology and other medical societies for the management of polymyalgia rheumatica
Methodological detailsupdated recommendations, systematic literature search, task force consensus, Systematic literature search of evidence published July 2016–January 2024 on therapeutic interventions and prognostic factors for polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), Task force of 12 physicians, two healthcare professionals and two patients from three countries; four overarching principles and seven specific recommendations
- Updated recommendations
- Systematic literature search
- Task force consensus
- Systematic literature search of evidence published July 2016–January 2024 on therapeutic interventions and prognostic factors for PMR
- Task force of 12 physicians, two healthcare professionals and two patients from three countries; four overarching principles and seven specific recommendations
Recommendations
As issued by the authors
GC (15-25 mg prednisone equivalents per day) as initial treatment for PMR once diagnosis confirmed, with subsequent tapering over 4-12 months (depending on whether a GC sparing agent is used), with monitoring of disease activity and treatment-related adverse effects
IL-6R blocking agents should be considered in addition to GC in patients with relapsing disease and can be considered in new-onset PMR at high risk for GC-related adverse events
MTX or RTX may be alternatives
Older and frail patients should also be offered an individualized exercise program
Original publication
Recommendations of the German, Austrian and Swiss rheumatology and other medical societies for the management of polymyalgia rheumatica. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 4 December 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →