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While rheumatologists are often thought of as treating arthritis only, there are many conditions that we treat that can affect other areas of the body. Vasculitis, or inflammation of blood vessels, is an area of expertise for rheumatologists, including Giant Cell Arteritis. Examples of other conditions which can affect other organs besides joints include lupus, scleroderma, polymyalgia rheumatica, myositis, and osteoporosis.

Wendy from the UK asks: Does the treatment of Polymyalgia Rheumatica with steroids prevent Giant Cell Arteritis?

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis, otherwise known as GCA or temporal arteritis, are distinct condition that may present at the same time. Many patients with GCA also will present with PMR, while a smaller proportion of patients with PMR present with GCA. While the treatment for both starts the same – glucocorticoids – the doses are very different. PMR is treated with low dose prednisone, while GCA initially requires high dose prednisone. That said, once on prednisone, the risk of developing GCA, and particularly loss of vision from GCA, drops significantly.