P185 Anatomical patterns of pain in primary care patients with polymyalgia rheumatica compared to the general population

Abstract

Abstract Background/Aims Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is common in older adults, causing severe pain and stiffness, particularly in the shoulder and hip girdles. A tapered course of glucocorticoids is recommended, but not always straightforward, with frequent symptom recurrence. Reasons are unclear, but partial masking of painful comorbidities (e.g., osteoarthritis) may play a part. Methods 652 people with incident PMR were recruited from English general practice (2012-2014) to a postal survey study (questionnaires at diagnosis, 1, 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, [mean] 61 months). Surveys included a body manikin (front and back views). Participants were asked to shade anywhere they experienced pain >1 day in the last month. 44 mutually exclusive areas were defined as painful or not. For comparison, an age-gender matched random sample of 652 people was selected from a general population survey in North Staffordshire that used the same manikins. Pain prevalence was compared between the 2 studies. Results In the PMR study, surveys were completed by 244 participants at 24 months and 197 at 61 months. Pain was reported in a mean of 17.1 areas at diagnosis (Table). Bilateral shoulder and hip pain were present in the majority at diagnosis (shoulder 81%; hips 59%) and in around a third and a fifth of patients respectively throughout the study. The prevalence of bilateral shoulder and hip pain remained higher than in the general population sample, while unilateral pain in these areas was less common. Bilateral hand (27%) and knee (45%) pain were also common at diagnosis. After 1 month, the mean number of pain areas was 7 - similar to the general population. However, prevalence of bilateral shoulder and hip pain remained higher than the general population throughout follow-up. Unilateral hip and knee pain were persistently less common in those with PMR, whilst unilateral hip pain was more common. Conclusion Bilateral pain was reported more commonly across the disease course in people with PMR than the general population. Causes of pain cannot be accurately attributed, but are likely multifactorial, including PMR disease activity, treatment and painful comorbidities. However, the persistence of bilateral pain suggests untreated PMR symptoms, requiring further research. Disclosure N. Hammad: None. R. Partington: None. S. Hider: None. H. Butt: None. T. Helliwell: None. C. Mallen: None. S. Muller: None.