Response to corticosteroids (≥ 70% improvement) in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). Data are no. (%).
| Feature | Week 1, n = 77 | Week 4, n = 77 | Week 12, n = 79 | Week 26, n = 81 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PMR VAS | 31 (46) | 52 (73) | 56 (80) | 52 (73) |
| Global pain VAS | 27 (40) | 48 (70) | 56 (80) | 50 (68) |
| Shoulder pain VAS | 26 (38) | 49 (68) | 59 (82) | 55 (72) |
| Hip pain VAS | 33 (55) | 49 (75) | 51 (78) | 54 (78) |
| Fatigue VAS | 29 (43) | 36 (52) | 46 (66) | 43 (59) |
| Duration of morning stiffness | 48 (69) | 68 (93) | 69 (97) | 69 (92) |
| Level of response* | ||||
| Nonresponse | 23 (47) | 9 (16) | 7 (12) | 6 (10) |
| Partial response | 22 (45) | 18 (32) | 21 (36) | 19 (33) |
| Complete response | 4 (8) | 30 (53) | 31 (52) | 32 (56) |
↵* Complete response defined as improved > 70% in PMR VAS, morning stiffness, and normal CRP and/or ESR; partial response: only 2 of the 3; nonresponse: one or none of 3. VAS: visual analog scale; CRP: C-reactive protein; ESR: erythrocyte sedimentation rate.