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polymyalgia arthralgia syndrome (PMAS)
If arthralgia/myalgia has been of at least 3 months duration: Initial diagnostic workup:
Laboratory:
1) anti-nuclear antibody (ANA)
2) rheumatoid factor (RF)
3) serum C-reactive protein (CRP)
4) erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
5) serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (serum TSH)
Management:
1) trial of steroids, prednisone 40 mg PO QD for 6 days
2) return to clinic in one week
3) if good response to prednisone & seronegative (ANA, RF), begin hydroxychloroquine (9 month trial)
General
joint disease; articular disease; arthropathy
syndrome