ZocdocAnswersHow many people per year are diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica?


How many people per year are diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica?

how many people per year are diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica


Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) by definition occurs in adults over the age of fifty, with a peak between the ages of 70 and 80. The number of people diagnosed per year (called the incidence) varies by region, and is highest in Scandinavian countries and people of northern European descent. In the U.S., the average annual incidence is 52.5 cases per 100,000 people (all aged 50 or older). At a given time, the percentage of the population with PMR ranges from 0.5-0.7%. In Europe, the highest incidence is further north and decreases as you go south, with the highest incidence in Scandinavia and the lowest incidence in Italy, where there are only 12.7 cases per 100,000 people. Whites are more commonly affected than other ethnic groups, and it is more common in men than women. If you are having symptoms concerning for PMR it is important you speak to your doctor and get a physical exam and lab tests. Some people with PMR can develop another condition called giant cell arteritis which, if untreated, can lead to blindness, and it is therefore important to check in with your doctor regularly and more specifically if you develop fevers, fatigues, weight loss, new or worsening headaches, blurry vision, or pain with chewing or eating.

