Polymyalgia rheumatica presenting as sternoclavicular arthritis: a case report

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory rheumatic condition clinically characterized by bilateral symmetrical shoulder, hip, and neck pain with morning stiffness lasting more than 45 minutes with unknown etiology [1]. It is a disease of people over the age of 50 years. It is known to be associated with giant cell arteritis (GCA), and PMR is two to three times commoner than GCA. Though the term “polymyalgia rheumatica” implies a disease of muscle, muscle biopsy is normal in this condition. In fact, periarticular (bursae and tendons) and articular structures are involved in PMR. While bilateral subdeltoid/subacromial bursitis is the hallmark of PMR, other manifestations such as bicep tenosynovitis, glenohumeral synovitis, cervical and lumbar interspinous bursitis, iliopectineal and iliopsoas bursitis, hip synovitis, and hamstring tendinitis occur.

Herein, we report a case of unilateral sternoclavicular arthritis in a patient diagnosed with PMR associated with GCA.

A 53-year-old Sinhalese, known patient with long-standing type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension was admitted with 1-week history of right-sided shoulder joint pain and neck pain with early morning stiffness for 1-hour duration leading to limitations in activities of daily living. On further inquiry, there was no joint pain involving the left shoulder, bilateral hip, and other small or large joints. He also complained of loss of appetite, lethargy, and generalized malaise. He reported history of intermittent generalized headache without blurring of vision or jaw claudication with duration of last 2 weeks. There was no history suggestive of ureteric colic or history of urological surgeries and radiation therapy. There was no family history of autoimmune or connective tissue diseases. On examination, he was pale and afebrile and there was no cervical lymphadenopathy or rashes. There were restricted movements of the right shoulder joint and neck with normal examination of other joints. Bilateral temporal arteries were nontender and pulsatile. Respiratory, cardiovascular system, and abdominal examinations were unremarkable (Fig. 1; Table 1).

Computed tomography scan revealed hypodense content in the right sternoclavicular joint with adjacent small focal bone erosions likely due to arthropathic changes without evidence of bursitis or tendinitis suggestive of sternoclavicular arthropathy.

A final diagnosis of PMR presenting as right sternoclavicular arthritis with GCA was made. He was started on high-dose oral prednisolone, with good clinical and biochemical improvement.

PMR is the commonest inflammatory rheumatic disease in the elderly, classically manifesting as proximal pain and stiffness involving the shoulder, hip, and neck [1]. It has been found in studies that 21% of patients with PMR had coexisting GCA [2].

Biceps tenosynovitis is the commonest pathology identified by musculoskeletal ultrasound scan in patients with PMR, whereas other manifestations include subdeltoid bursitis, glenohumeral synovitis, and less frequently, hip involvement [3]. Sternoclavicular arthropathy is a rare association of PMR. According to literature, sternoclavicular arthritis was noted in 15% of the patients in one study [4]. Though the occurrence of erosive arthropathy is controversial in PMR, there is evidence that erosions of pubic symphysis, sacroiliac, and sternoclavicular joints occur, especially in patients with symptoms lasting more than 6 months [5].

PMR is diagnosed based on clinical presentation and supportive laboratory findings. Hence, there is no pathognomonic test or diagnostic criteria. The American College of Rheumatology and European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology have proposed classification criteria for PMR, which should not be used as diagnostic criteria [6].

PMR has a good prognosis if diagnosis and treatment are prompt.

Though PMR classically causes bilateral symmetrical limb girdle pain, our patient presented with unilateral shoulder joint pain with neck pain lasting more than 2 weeks, with other supportive evidence such as early morning stiffness, age more than 50 years, and high inflammatory markers, viz. gamma-glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase, in the presence of a negative rheumatoid factor. Computed tomography revealed erosive sternoclavicular arthritis, which is a rare manifestation of PMR.

At presentation, he had coexisting GCA, as proven by temporal artery ultrasound and biopsy, though the symptoms were not classic. A high degree of suspicion led to prompt diagnosis and treatment of PMR-GCA in this patient. Cholestatic hepatic dysfunction is common in patients with PMR but disappears following glucocorticoid treatment [7]. It indicates a high risk of having overlapping GCA. In our patient, we observed elevated alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transferase with normal bilirubin and aminotransferase levels, which is commonly reported in published literature. GCA is a large vessel vasculitis predominantly affecting aorta and its branches. Urological manifestations are seldom reported with GCA, including prostatic vasculitis and epididymo-orchitis. Urethral involvement was more commonly seen in polyarteritis nodosa and Henoch–Schonlein purpura, where the majority of cases resolved with systemic glucocorticoid treatment [8]. In our case, we recognized an incidental finding of hydronephrosis and hydroureter due to distal ureteric stricture.

The patient was started on high-dose systemic glucocorticoids with an initial dose of 60 mg of prednisolone, gradually tapered according to clinical and biochemical response. Good clinical and biochemical response was observed with treatment, and he was monitored for side effects of glucocorticoids and recurrence of symptoms in the medical clinic.

Unilateral erosive sternoclavicular arthritis and ureteric strictures are both rare presentations of PMR and GCA, respectively. Such atypical manifestations mimic many rheumatological conditions, leading to a delay in diagnosis. Knowledge of such rare manifestations would ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment, which would significantly improve the outcome from PMR-GCA.