Polymyalgia Rheumatica (2012 EULAR/ACR Provisional Criteria) Calculator

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Polymyalgia Rheumatica (2012 EULAR/ACR Provisional Criteria) Calculator
1. Age?
2. Bilateral Shoulder Aching?
3. Abnormal CRP and/or ESR?
4. Morning stiffness >45 minutes?
5. Hip Pain or Limited Range of Motion?
6. Normal RF or ACPA?
7. Absence of Other Joint Pain?
8. Ultrasound Findings?
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Ready to crunch some numbers and calculate your potential risk of Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PR)? It won’t make you the life of the party, but it could be a life-saver! Let’s get down to business.

Calculation Formula

Score = Age > 50 years (2 points) + Bilateral shoulder aching (1 point) + Morning stiffness that lasts >45 minutes (2 points) + Abnormal C-reactive protein and/or Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate (2 points) + New onset of hip pain (1 point)

Categories / Types / Levels

Category Score Range Interpretation
Low risk 0-2 Unlikely
Moderate risk 3-4 Possible
High Risk 5-7 Probable

Examples

Meet Bob, age 55, he’s got bilateral shoulder aching, morning stiffness that lasts more than 45 minutes, and new onset of hip pain. Poor Bob scores 5, making PR probable. And then we have Alice, age 45, with morning stiffness for more than 45 minutes and new onset of hip pain. Alice scores 3, so PR is possible.

Calculation Methods

Method Advantages Disadvantages Accuracy
2012 EULAR/ACR Provisional Criteria Comprehensive, includes common symptoms Requires laboratory tests High

Evolution Over Time

Time Period Method
Pre-2012 Clinical judgment
2012-Present 2012 EULAR/ACR Provisional Criteria

Limitations

  1. Does not account for other diseases that can mimic Polymyalgia Rheumatica.
  2. Dependent on patient’s subjective reporting of symptoms.
  3. Does not include all possible symptoms of Polymyalgia Rheumatica.

Alternative Methods

Method Pros Cons
Clinical Judgment No need for laboratory tests Less accurate, dependent on physician’s experience

FAQs

  1. What is Polymyalgia Rheumatica (2012 EULAR/ACR Provisional Criteria)? It’s a calculation method used to estimate the likelihood of having Polymyalgia Rheumatica.
  2. How accurate is the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (2012 EULAR/ACR Provisional Criteria)? It has a high accuracy level, but it’s not perfect.
  3. What does the score range mean in the PR calculation? The score range gives an indication of the likelihood of having PR – the higher the score, the higher the risk.
  4. What are the limitations of the PR (2012 EULAR/ACR Provisional Criteria) calculation? It doesn’t account for other diseases that can mimic PR, it’s dependent on the patient’s reporting of symptoms, and it doesn’t include all possible symptoms of PR.
  5. What are some alternative methods to calculate PR? One alternative method is Clinical Judgment.
  6. Why is the age of 50 years a factor in the PR calculation? Age is a factor because PR typically affects people over the age of 50.
  7. What is the significance of morning stiffness lasting more than 45 minutes in the PR calculation? Long-lasting morning stiffness is a common symptom of PR, hence its inclusion in the calculation.
  8. What are abnormal C-reactive protein and Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the PR calculation? These are blood tests that can indicate inflammation in the body, a sign of PR.
  9. Why is new onset of hip pain included in the PR calculation? New onset of hip pain can be a symptom of PR.
  10. How should I use the results of my PR calculation? The results should be used as a guide and discussed with your healthcare provider.

References

  1. CDC.gov – Provides a comprehensive overview of Polymyalgia Rheumatica.