What is a key sign of polymyalgia rheumatica?

Polymyalgia rheumatica is characterized primarily by significant stiffness and pain, particularly in the proximal muscles, such as those of the shoulders, hips, and neck. This stiffness is often worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity, which is a hallmark feature of the condition. Patients may describe a feeling of difficulty moving their arms or legs, and the pain can be quite debilitating, contributing to reduced mobility and function.

In contrast, while joint swelling can occur in various rheumatologic conditions, it is not a defining feature of polymyalgia rheumatica itself. The absence of significant joint swelling helps differentiate it from other disorders like rheumatoid arthritis. A skin rash can be associated with other autoimmune conditions, such as lupus or dermatomyositis, but it is not characteristic of polymyalgia rheumatica. Fatigue frequently accompanies many medical conditions, including polymyalgia rheumatica, but it is not exclusive to it and is less specific than the muscle stiffness that is central to the diagnosis of this particular syndrome.