What laboratory findings are commonly associated with polymyalgia rheumatica?

Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disorder primarily affecting older adults, and its hallmark laboratory finding is an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). This increase is indicative of an underlying inflammatory process occurring in the body.

Patients with polymyalgia rheumatica typically present with symptoms such as bilateral shoulder and hip stiffness, particularly in the morning, along with systemic features like fatigue and malaise. The elevated ESR reflects the degree of inflammation present in the patient. Alongside the increased ESR, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are also often elevated, as these markers are helpful in monitoring disease activity.

In contrast, an increased white blood cell (WBC) count is not commonly seen in polymyalgia rheumatica, as the condition does not typically lead to leukocytosis. Low platelet counts and elevated uric acid levels are also not characteristic findings associated with this condition. Therefore, the association of increased ESR is a key point in the diagnosis and management of polymyalgia rheumatica.