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Polymyalgia rheumatica - Management
How should I interpret the response to systemic corticosteroids?
- Response to systemic corticosteroids is usually rapid and dramatic; symptoms largely resolve in most people within a week, with resolution of laboratory abnormalities in 3–4 weeks.
- Response to treatment with corticosteroids cannot be used as a diagnostic test, as other conditions that can present with features of polymyalgia rheumatica also respond to treatment with corticosteroids (for example rheumatoid arthritis).
- Lack of response suggests that an alternative diagnosis should be considered.
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