Polymyalgia: Problems of Differential Diagnosis

Abstract
The clinical and laboratory findings in 22 patients with myalgia were described and considered in 4 groups: Myalgia not associated with pathological change in muscle; a diagnosis of polymyositis; associated skin lesions suggesting a diagnosis of dermatomyositis; and the presence of other connective tissue disease. The differences in clinical presentation and the value of laboratory tests in differential diagnosis was discussed. The response to treatment and the prognosis in each group was described.