Prognosis in the Anarthritic Rheumatoid Syndrome

Abstract

Fifty patients with the anarthritic rheumatoid syndrome (polymyalgia rheumatica) have been followed up between 1945 and 1961. The mean age at onset of symptoms was 60.4 years. Eleven patients died of causes unconnected with their rheumatic complaint. Six post-mortem examinations failed to show any significant pathology other than the primary cause of death. One patient had slight renal changes suggestive but not diagnostic of systemic lupus erythematosus. © 1963, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.