With proper treatment, the disease is not threatening. Untreated, however, giant cell arteritis can lead to serious complications including permanent vision loss and stroke. Patients must learn to recognize the signs of giant cell arteritis, because they can develop even after the symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica disappear. Patients should report any symptoms to the doctor immediately. White women over the age of 50 are most at risk of developing polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis.
Women are twice as likely as men to develop the conditions.
Both conditions almost exclusively affect people over the age of 50. The average age of onset is 70 years. Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis are quite common. In the United States, it is estimated that 500 per 100,000 people in the general population over 50 years of age develop polymyalgia rheumatica. The primary symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica are moderate to severe stiffness and muscle pain near the neck, shoulders, or hips.