Main description:

This book, now in an extensively updated and expanded third edition, offers important insights into polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA), providing an overview of their pathophysiology, genetics, immunology, and endocrinological mechanisms but above all presenting the state of the art in diagnosis and treatment. Both PMR and GCA are diseases of advanced age. Early diagnosis and treatment can save one of the most precious senses - vision. In this book, the role of imaging techniques is thoroughly examined, with particular attention to ultrasonography and FDG PET. All aspects of management of both diseases are discussed, including the current use of glucocorticoids, the efficacy of modern biological treatment, such as infliximab, tocilizumab, and rituximab, and the available monitoring tools. Diagnostic criteria for PMR and GCA are outlined, with discussion of differential diagnosis. Among the other topics addressed are disease classification, the histopathology of GCA, the ACR criteria for temporal arteritis, the value of temporal artery biopsy in GCA, serum cytokine profiles, chronobiology, and sine syndromes. The reader will find that the book aids in achieving early diagnosis and providing faster and more effective disease management. General readers with an interest in rheumatology, internal medicine, ophthalmology and gerontology will find this book particularly valuable.

Contents:

Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis - an overview with a focus on important factors contributing to the severity of the disease.- Diagnostic criteria for PMR and GCA.- Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Temporal Arteritis and Occurrence of Malignant Tumors - sine syndromes in PMR and GCA.- GCA and Takayasu's disease.- Vascular complications of PMR and GCA.- Coronary involvement and atherosclerosis in Giant Cell Arteritis.- T cells and their role in Polymyalgia Rheumatica.- Cytokines in Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis.- Genetic factors in Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica.- Chronobiology of Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis.- Endocrinologic changes in PMR and GCA.- Imaging techniques, e.g. Ultrasonography, PET/18FDG in PMR and GCA.- Histopathology of Giant Cell (temporal) Arteritis - changes in aorta.- Management of PMR and GCA.- Biologicals in the treatment of Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis.- Therapy of resistant forms of PMR and GCA.- Monitoring tools for PMR and GCA.