Age: 76.0
Sex: F
Vaccine: COVID19
Symptoms: Sciatica
Clinical narrative: This spontaneous case was reported by a physician (subsequently medically confirmed) and describes the occurrence of POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA (Diagnosed Polymyalgia Rheumatica) and GAIT DISTURBANCE (Difficulty walking. By May 1st could not climb steps. Had to use hiking poles for walking.) in a 76-year-old female patient who received mRNA-1273 (Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine) (batch nos. 001B21A and 006M20A) for COVID-19 vaccination. The occurrence of additional non-serious events is detailed below.     The patient's past medical history included COVID-19 on 04-Nov-2020. Concurrent medical conditions included Hypertension since 2014 and Walker user. Concomitant products included LISINOPRIL for an unknown indication.   On 12-Feb-2021, the patient received first dose of mRNA-1273 (Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine) (Intramuscular) 1 dosage form. On 12-Mar-2021, received second dose of mRNA-1273 (Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine) (Intramuscular) dosage was changed to 1 dosage form. On 12-Mar-2021 at 1:45 PM, the patient experienced GAIT DISTURBANCE (Difficulty walking. By May 1st could not climb steps. Had to use hiking poles for walking.) (seriousness criterion medically significant), ASTHENIA (Weakness), SCIATICA (bilateral hip pain began, unrelated to any injury, gradual onset. sciatic distribution/sciatic pain), INSOMNIA (Difficulty sleeping turning in bed), DECREASED APPETITE (Lack of appetite), ARTHRALGIA (Bilateral hip pain/severe hip pain/hip pain was worse after inactivity), PYREXIA (Fever 103) and MYALGIA (Myalgias). On 20-May-2021, the patient experienced POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA (Diagnosed Polymyalgia Rheumatica) (seriousness criterion medically significant). The patient was treated with NAPROXEN SODIUM (ALEVE) ongoing since an unknown date at a dose of 220 mg twice a day; PREDNISONE ongoing since an unknown date at a dose of 15 mg once a day; PREDNISONE at a dose of 12 mg once a day; PREDNISONE at a dose of 10 mg once a day; MELOXICAM ongoing since an unknown date at a dose of 15 mg once a day and IBUPROFEN at an unspecified dose and frequency. At the time of the report, POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA (Diagnosed Polymyalgia Rheumatica), GAIT DISTURBANCE (Difficulty walking. By May 1st could not climb steps. Had to use hiking poles for walking.), ASTHENIA (Weakness), SCIATICA (bilateral hip pain began, unrelated to any injury, gradual onset. sciatic distribution/sciatic pain), DECREASED APPETITE (Lack of appetite), ARTHRALGIA (Bilateral hip pain/severe hip pain/hip pain was worse after inactivity), PYREXIA (Fever 103) and MYALGIA (Myalgias) outcome was unknown and INSOMNIA (Difficulty sleeping turning in bed) had not resolved.      DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS (normal ranges are provided in parenthesis if available): On an unknown date, Haemoglobin: 11.5 (Low) Decreased and 13.5 (Low) Decreased. On an unknown date, Rheumatoid factor: normal (normal) rheumatoid arthritis profile normal.     For mRNA-1273 (Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine) (Intramuscular), the reporter did not provide any causality assessments.   Concomitant medication included small dose of unspecified of antihypertensive medication   The patient had initial improvement in neck pain, and later bilateral hip pain began which was unrelated to any injury. There was a gradual onset of sciatic distribution which got worsened after inactivity. Also, the patient had difficulty in sleeping, sitting and walking which kept increasing over time. The patient had seen her physician on 30 Mar 2021 and was prescribed Aleve 220 mg, bid at its maximum dose for three days which helped with some improvement in symptoms which stopped after ten days and had rebound of symptoms within one week. The patient's rheumatoid arthritis profile was normal. Ten days after using Aleve, the symptoms soared. The patient also used Ibuprofen and had to return to use Aleve. On 01 May 2021, the patient could not climb steps. On 03 May 2021, the patient started prednisone and meloxicam. The symptoms improved within one day.  The patient saw nurse practioner with rheumatologist on 20 May 2021. Later, prednisone was decreased to 12 mg, daily. The patent was diagnosed polymyalgia rheumatica. The patient saw rheumatologist on 03 Jun 2021, and prednisone was tapered beginning with 10 mg, daily. Later, it was tapered by 1 mg on a monthly basis for the next 10 months and also meloxicam was discontinued.  Based on the current available information and temporal association between the use of the product and the start date of the events, a causal relationship cannot be excluded. Further information has been requested.   Most recent FOLLOW-UP information incorporated above includes: On 09-Jun-2021: Follow up received on on 09 Jun 2021: Patient demographics, reporter, relevant medical history, concomitant drug, events, event outcome and case seriousness were updated.; Sender's Comments: Based on the current available information and temporal association between the use of the product and the start date of the events, a causal relationship cannot be excluded. Further information has been requested.