American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Practice Exam 2026 - Free ABFM Practice Questions and Study Guide

In the management of polymyalgia rheumatica, oral prednisolone is the standard first-line treatment. This condition is characterized by widespread muscle pain and stiffness, particularly in the proximal muscles, and is often associated with elevated inflammatory markers.

Oral prednisolone works effectively to alleviate symptoms and reduce inflammation. It has an established safety profile and dosage regimen that can be easily adjusted based on the patient's response. Typically, treatment initiation starts with a relatively low dose, which can then be tapered based on symptom control and improvement in inflammatory markers.

Other forms of corticosteroids, such as oral dexamethasone or intravenous methylprednisolone, may provide similar anti-inflammatory effects but are not typically used for the outpatient management of polymyalgia rheumatica. Dexamethasone often has a more potent effect than prednisolone, which can lead to unnecessary side effects when high doses are not required. Intravenous options are generally reserved for more acute situations or severe exacerbations and are not practical for ongoing outpatient management.

Oral methylprednisolone, while another form of corticosteroid, is less commonly prescribed for polymyalgia rheumatica compared to prednisolone, mainly due to its less favorable pharmacokinetic profile for this specific