Abstract

Chronic dry cough: Could it be your polymyalgia rheumatica?

Author(s): Azin Azarfar & Shazia Beg

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) is a frequent clinical syndrome seen mainly in elderly patients with clinical manifestations of pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulder, and hip. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) are the most common inflammatory markers found to be elevated in PMR. The main well-known treatment for polymyalgia rheumatica is steroids which can result in a complete resolution of the symptoms. Here, we report a case of a 75-year-old man who presented with respiratory symptoms as the initial manifestation of his polymyalgia rheumatica. Lung involvement should be assessed in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica and respiratory symptoms such as exertional dyspnea and cough in some cases may be the presenting symptoms.