Abstract
In 2012, the provisional classification criteria for polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) were proposed by the EULAR/ACR collaborative initiative. The criteria were developed by experts in Western countries through multiple processes and are expected to be utilized in future clinical trials. In addition, the cohort study confirmed the notion that PMR is a heterogeneous disease which does not uniformly respond to a certain dose of corticosteroids. On the other hand,although it was worth noting that the criteria incorporating ultrasound findings were also proposed, the utility of ultrasound was not thoroughly evaluated in the development process and the ultrasound items did not substantially add to the accuracy of the criteria. While a number of different diseases can mimic PMR, only a few conditions, depending on the clinical scenario,need to be excluded in real-life setting. Therefore,clinical and ultrasonographic information which can specifically exclude a certain condition but is not included in the provisional criteria should also be utilized to efficiently establish the diagnosis of PMR.
