Medical staffing news: New research suggests that a widespread, painful inflammatory muscle disorder may elevate the risk of heart attack and stroke in older people.
Patients with polymyalgia rheumatica are more likely to develop vascular disease, which is a condition that affect the blood vessels, according to a British study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Travel nurse professionals may know that polymyalgia rheumatica (sometimes referred to as PMR) is a common cause of aching, stiffness and pain in older adults. It typically affects people age 50 and older who complain of pain in the upper arms, neck, buttocks and thighs. However, because PMR does not usually result in swollen joints, it may be difficult to recognize.
"Polymyalgia rheumatica is one of the most common inflammatory rheumatologic conditions in older adults," the study authors wrote, according to HealthDay. "To date, evidence regarding the risk of vascular disease in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica is unclear."
For the study, researchers examined medical data on nearly 3,250 people with the disorder and more than 12,700 people without it. The participants were followed for three to 12 years.
The researchers discovered that within six to 12 months after diagnosis, risks of heart attack, atherosclerosis, angina and stroke peaked in male and female patients. Patients age 50 to 59 had a fivefold increased risk of suffering from those conditions, while patients age 80 and older had a three times greater risk.
"This early excess risk provides insight into potential mechanisms and supports the link between inflammation and vascular disease, given that the inflammatory burden in polymyalgia rheumatica is highest in early disease," the study authors wrote.
Polymyalgia rheumatica explained
The condition is generally most severe in the morning due to inactivity during sleep. Pain tends to improve as the day continues. Long car rides or sitting too long in one position may cause stiffness to return, and both sides of the body are equally affected. Symptoms tend to come on rather quickly, over a few days or weeks and sometimes even overnight. Health care staffing specialists might notice that patients ache when they raise their arms above their shoulders. It is possible for aching to occur at joints in the hands and wrists.
Besides increasing risk for heart-related conditions, stiffness may cause disturbed sleep, trouble getting dressed in the morning, or problems getting up from a sofa or in and out of a car.
Since symptoms respond quickly and completely to low doses of corticosteroids, travel nurses may advise patients whether or not to put their patients on such treatment plans.