Polymyalgia Rheumatica Diagnosis
Polymyalgia rheumatica is a a disorder that causes severe inflammation of your musculoskeletal system. Pain and stiffness can develop within your hips, neck and shoulders. Symptoms appear suddenly. Some people can develop symptoms overnight. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, polymyalgia rheumatica rarely afflicts people under the age of 50, with the disease being more common in older adults. Before a diagnosis can be made, your physician will rule out other conditions that mimic polymyalgia rheumatica, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
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Sed Rate
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Sed rate is a type of blood test that examines the erythrocyte sedimentation rate of your unclotted blood. Your blood is measured in reference to how quickly your blood cells settle after being placed into a test tube. According to the Mayo Clinic, a sed rate can increase if inflammation is present. What this means, is that your blood cells will fall faster than what is normal. A sed rate alone cannot diagnose polymyalgia rheumatica, as other conditions can cause inflammation.
RF Antibody
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The rheumatoid factor is a type of test that determines whether your body is creating rheumatoid factor antibodies. Rheumatoid factors are known as autoantibodies, or proteins that are produced by your immune system to unintentionally attack tissues within your body that are healthy. The RF test is a distinguishing feature in the diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica due to the fact that RF is present in people who suffer from autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. People who suffer from polymyalgia rheumatica don't have RF present within their system.
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Other Tests
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Other blood tests may be ordered to examine platelets and red blood cells present within your blood. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you suffer from polymyalgia rheumatica, your platelet count may be abnormally high. Your red blood cells will also be lower. Many people who suffer from polymyalgia rheumatica are anemic as a result of low red blood cells.
C-Reactive Test
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Your liver produces a type of protein known as C-reactive protein These proteins help your body to fight off any injuries or ward off signs of infections. You may need to take a blood test to detect the presence of these proteins. If you have polymyalgia rheumatica, your C-reactive protein levels will be elevated.
Complications
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Once you have been diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica, your physician will begin to test you for giant cell arteritis. Giant cell areteritis is a complication of polymyalgia rheumatica. According to the Mayo Clinic, up to 20 percent of people suffering with polymyalgia rheumatica will develop giant cell arteritis. When you suffer from giant cell arteritis, your arterial linings become swollen. Giant cell arteritis mainly affects the arteries in your temples, though arteries in your neck, upper body and arms can be afflicted. Giant cell arteritis can eventually lead to vision loss, stroke and an aortic aneurysm.
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