Polymyalgia rheumatica historical perspective

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Polymyalgia rheumatica was first described in 1888 by Bruce William as "senile rheumatic gout". The disease was referred to as "polymyalgia rheumatica" by Stuart Barber in 1957 in his article entitled "mylagic syndrome with constitutional effects; polymyalgia rheumatica".

Historical Perspective

• In 1888, the syndrome of polymyalgia rheumatica was described for the first time by Bruce William.
• In 1957, the disease was referred to as "polymyalgia rheumatica" by Stuart Barber. In his article entitled "mylagic syndrome with constitutional effects; polymyalgia rheumatica", Barber describes the disease as a widespread muscle pain involving the neck, shoulder, lower back, pelvic girdle and thighs in the absence of any objective changes of the joints. Barber noted the presence of constitutional symptoms and elevated ESR.
• In 1963, Bagratuni referred to polymyalgia rheumatica as "anarthritic rheumatoid syndrome" and described it as a disease that resembles the prodromic symptomatic phase of rheumatoid arthritis.