Improved Glycemic Control Reduces Symptoms in Patients With Chronic Inflammatory Condition

Symptoms and laboratory measures of polymyalgia rheumatica activity in 3 patients improved rapidly after achieving good glycemic control.

After good glycemic control in 3 patients with polymyalgia rheumatica, a chronic inflammatory condition, symptoms were improved without glucocorticoid administration or an increase in glucocorticoid dosage, stated new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan, researchers had described 3 cases where patients with bothersome symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica did not achieve pain or stiffness relief after months of NSAIDs or steroids treatment. The patients also reported type 2 diabetes condition and poorly controlled glucose levels.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention
Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disease that usually occurs in people above 60 years of age and is marked by severe muscle pain, muscle stiffness and cramps on both sides of the body.

‘Symptoms and laboratory measures of polymyalgia rheumatica activity in 3 patients improved rapidly after achieving good glycemic control.’

Before starting to treat the patients with glucocorticoid, the researchers adjusted the patients' diabetes regimens. The patients' rheumatica symptoms improved rapidly and dramatically enough that no further treatment was needed.

Polymyalgia rheumatica

This condition is characterized by severe pain and stiffness, occurring mostly in the shoulders, upper arms, and pelvis area. It affects the elderly and is treated with glucocorticoid therapy. The study suggests that a randomized controlled trial is warranted.

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