Polimialgi

Polimialgi, also spelled polymyalgia, refers to a medical condition characterized by widespread muscle pain and stiffness that predominantly affects the upper body, especially the shoulders, neck, upper arms, and hips. The symptoms typically emerge abruptly, often in the morning, and can last for several weeks unless treated. Individuals with polimialgi frequently report a feeling of fatigue and a reduced range of motion in the affected joints. In many patients, the pain is more pronounced in one side of the body, a phenomenon known as asymmetry, although it can also be bilateral.

The exact cause of polimialgi remains unclear, but evidence suggests an autoimmune process involving the small blood vessels supplying the muscle tissues. Genetic factors, particularly certain HLA-DRB1 alleles, may increase susceptibility, as does a history of prior viral infections or other inflammatory diseases. Exposure to cold or temperate climates has also been associated with a higher incidence of the condition.

Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria, laboratory findings of elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate or C‑reactive protein, and the exclusion of other rheumatologic and metabolic disorders. Imaging studies are rarely required but may be used to rule out alternative causes of pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. A short-course of oral corticosteroids is the first-line treatment and often produces rapid symptom relief. Long-term use of steroids can be reduced gradually once clinical improvement is observed, and disease monitoring is essential because 20–30 % of patients experience relapse or develop related conditions such as giant cell arteritis.

Polimialgi is more common in people over the age of 50, with a higher prevalence in women than men. Overall prognosis is favorable, especially when treatment is initiated early, and most patients regain normal daily functioning without lasting disability.