Which inflammatory markers are typically elevated in polymyalgia rheumatica?

Which inflammatory markers are typically elevated in polymyalgia rheumatica?

• A. CK elevated
• B. ESR decreased
• C. CRP elevated
• D. ESR and CRP elevated

Answer: (D)

PMR is driven by systemic inflammation, so acute-phase reactants rise. The pattern you typically see is both ESR and CRP elevated, reflecting active inflammation. CRP is usually very sensitive and rises quickly, while ESR also increases but can be influenced by age, anemia, and other factors. CK is not characteristically elevated in PMR because there isn’t ongoing muscle fiber destruction, and a decreased ESR would not fit the inflammatory picture. So the finding of elevated ESR and CRP best fits polymyalgia rheumatica.

PMR is driven by systemic inflammation, so acute-phase reactants rise. The pattern you typically see is both ESR and CRP elevated, reflecting active inflammation. CRP is usually very sensitive and rises quickly, while ESR also increases but can be influenced by age, anemia, and other factors. CK is not characteristically elevated in PMR because there isn’t ongoing muscle fiber destruction, and a decreased ESR would not fit the inflammatory picture. So the finding of elevated ESR and CRP best fits polymyalgia rheumatica.