Therapeutic efficacy in Polymyalgia Rheumatica associated with Giant Cell Arteritis
a systematic review
Keywords:
Giant Cell Arteritis, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, TherapeuticsAbstract
Objective: Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a disease caused by inflammation of deep joints, which appears in individuals over fifty years of age and is characterized by pain and stiffness. The objective of this study is to investigate the management of polymyalgia rheumatica associated with giant cell arteritis (GCA) for symptom remission. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, only five studies were included in the final analysis. The studies revealed that remission after glucocorticoid withdrawal was more prevalent in the group receiving tocilizumab, as well as a reduction in adverse effects. Another study showed lower disease activity in the tocilizumab group. In the only study using rituximab, the group receiving the immunobiological also achieved greater symptom remission. The conclusion is that the administration of immunobiologicals proved to be an effective alternative for the treatment of PMR in GCA.
References
Sociedade Brasileira de Reumatologia. Polimialgia Reumática e Arterite de Células Gigantes. Available from: URL: https://www.reumatologia.org. br/doencas-reumaticas/polimialgias. Accessed October 14, 2024.
Spiera R, Unizony SH, Bao M, Luder Y, Han J, Pavlov A, Stone JH. Tocilizumab vs placebo for the treatment of giant cell arteritis with polymyalgia rheumatica symptoms, cranial symptoms or both in a randomized trial. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2021; 51(2): 469-76.
Espígol-Frigolé G, Dejaco C, Mackie SL, Salvarani C, Matteson EL, Cid MC. Polymyalgia rheumatica. Lancet. 2023; 402(10411): 1459-72.
Devauchelle-Pensec V, Carvajal-Alegria G, Dernis E, Richez C, Truchetet ME, Wendling D, et al. Effect of Tocilizumab on Disease Activity in Patients With Active Polymyalgia Rheumatica Receiving Glucocorticoid Therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2022; 328(11): 1053-62.
Preuss CV, Anjum F. Tocilizumab. 2024 Feb 12. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025.
Liberati A, Altman DG, Tetzlaff J, Mulrow C, Gøtzsche PC, Ioannidis JP, et al. The PRISMA Statement for Reporting Sistematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Studies That Evaluated Health Care Interventions: Explanation and Elaboration. PLoS Med 2009; 6(7): e1000100.
Bolhuis TE, Marsman DE, den Broeder AA, den Broeder N, van der Maas A. 1-year results of treatment with rituximab in polymyalgia rheumatica: an extension study of a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Rheumatol. 2023; 5(4): e208-e214.
Hansen SB, Dreyer AF, Jørgensen NT, Al-Jorani H, Bislev LS, Boesen VB, et al. Changes in Adrenal Function and Insufficiency Symptoms After Cessation of Prednisolone. JAMA Netw Open. 2025; 8(3): e251029.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Revista de Divulgação Científica Sena Aires

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
-
Atribuição — Você deve dar o crédito apropriado, prover um link para a licença e indicar se mudanças foram feitas. Você deve fazê-lo em qualquer circunstância razoável, mas de nenhuma maneira que sugira que o licenciante apoia você ou o seu uso.
- Sem restrições adicionais — Você não pode aplicar termos jurídicos ou medidas de caráter tecnológico que restrinjam legalmente outros de fazerem algo que a licença permita.
