Polymyalgia Rheumatic And Stem Cell Therapy

Stem Cell Therapy

Polymyalgia rheumatic is a group of diseases that cause pain and rigidity in the musculoskeletal system.  This syndrome causes rigidity and pain in the joints and muscles of the body, such as in the joints of the neck, shoulders, elbow and the upper limb muscles, lower limb muscles. This medical condition comes with a lot of pain, that may affect any part of the body. The symptoms of this disease can be abrupt, and on the other hand, it can gradually develop over a time period. People affected by this disease, mostly wake up with pains all over their body, especially in the morning. However, there have been cases where patients didn’t present with morning body pains, but rather in the evening and night. This condition has been noted to have a connection with temporal arteritis; an inflammatory disease of the temporal artery. This disease can lead to blindness if not well managed. This disease is mostly treated by using medications. An example of a medication that is commonly used for treating this disease is a corticosteroid. This drug is usually used for about 2 to 3 years until the symptoms completely disappear. Stem cell therapy has a lot of potential in the management of this disease. Mesenchymal stem cells are usually used in treating this disease.

What Causes Polymyalgia Rheumatic?

The exact cause of this disease is not known yet, however, there are some factors that could lead to the development of this disease. Although, it has been observed that the discomfort, muscle and joint rigidity associated with this disease might be as a result of the concentration of inflammatory cells and biological substances in the affected joints and muscles. White blood cells usually attack and causes inflammatory reactions in the muscles, and joints of the body.

Infection: Infection has been noted to be an important factor, in the development of polymyalgia rheumatic. According to studies, some viruses have been identified as inducers of this disease. Some of the viruses include adenovirus, that is mostly responsible for respiratory infections, parvovirus; a virus that predominantly affects kids, and the parainfluenza virus.

Stress: Although this is not responsible for a large percentage of the causes of polymyalgia rheumatic, it is capable of triggering this disease. Some people affected by this disease have attributed it to stress; both emotional and physical.

Genetics: It has been shown that there are some genes that could increase the risks of having this disease. People with this kind of genes only require a trigger to set off the disease.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Polymyalgia Rheumatic?

Polymyalgia rheumatic does present with a lot of symptoms. Some of the symptoms that are generally presented include;

1. Pain in the muscles and joints: Patients usually complain of pain in parts of the body, such as in the neck, shoulder and elbow joints. This is also the case for the joints of the lower limbs too. Pain can also occur in the lower back and in the buttock of patients. This pain is usually more predominant in the morning or after waking up from sleep.
2. Muscle and joint rigidity: In addition to pain and discomfort in the muscles and joints, patients do also do commonly complain of stiffness in their body. Just like it does with pain, this rigidity predominantly affects the joints, especially the joints of the shoulder and the pelvic girdle. These joints become rigid, stiff and painful to move. This significantly reduces the productivity and physical activities of the patients.
3. Tiredness: Patients suffering from this disease do complain of fatigue, even without doing any serious physical activity.
4. Patients do present with a lack of appetite: The reason for this isn’t clear yet, but there have been suggestions that this is due to the discomfort caused by the disease.
5. Fever: Patients usually show symptoms of fever such as nausea, vomiting, increased temperature and so on.
6. Anemia
7. Restricted movement of the joints and muscles: The direction and angle by which people suffering from this disease move their joints is usually significantly reduced. This is due to the rigidity and pain in the joints and muscle.
8. Depression: This is a medical condition in which people feel empty and hopeless. In severe cases, depressed people do have suicidal thoughts. This often happens to people affected by polymyalgia rheumatic, especially when they’re in a lot of pains for a long time.

What Are The Risk Factors Of Polymyalgia Rheumatic?

There are some factors, that increases the chances of having polymyalgia rheumatic. Below are some of the factors;

Race: polymyalgia rheumatic has been observed to affect some people in certain parts of the world, more than other parts. For example, white people from the northern part of Europe are usually more affected than people from other parts of the world.

Gender: According to statistics, women are predominantly more affected by polymyalgia rheumatic, as compared to men. In fact, the ratio of women to men is around 2:1. This makes women more likely to have the disease.

Age: Although polymyalgia rheumatic affects people of all ages, it has been shown that this disease affects older adults more. This disease is more prevalent in old people, especially people above the age of 70.

How Is Polymyalgia Rheumatic Currently Treated?

Polymyalgia rheumatic is usually treated with medications. These drugs are given to reduce the discomfort and also ease the symptoms of the disease.

1. Corticosteroids: Polymyalgia rheumatic is usually treated with a small dose of corticosteroids. This drug is administered for the treatment of the pain and rigidity in the muscles and joints. The drug is mostly used for about a year in people affected by this disease.
2. Methotrexate: This drug is usually prescribed along with corticosteroids. It can be also used to replace corticosteroids if the patient doesn’t respond well to corticosteroids.
3. Physiotherapy: Patients also do benefit from physical therapies. This helps them to restore flexibility and coordination.

Stem Cell Therapy Of Polymyalgia Rheumatic

Stem cells are unique cells that can be used in the treatment of this disease. These cells are capable of repairing and replacing the damaged tissues and cells. The stem cells are usually introduced into the affected part. Mesenchymal stem cells have the ability to locate injured and damaged cells in the body through a process called paracrine signalling. This potential of stem cells to differentiate and regenerate makes them important in the treatment of this disease.

References

Brambilla, L., Esposito, L., Nazzaro, G. and Tourlaki, A. (2017). Onset of Kaposi sarcoma and Merkel cell carcinoma during low-dose steroid therapy for rheumatic polymyalgia. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 42(6), pp.702-704.

Corticosteroid therapy still the mainstay for polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis. (1998). Drugs & Therapy Perspectives, 12(5), pp.8-10.

Evans, J. and Hunder, G. (2000). POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA AND GIANT CELL ARTERITIS. Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America, 26(3), pp.493-515.

Perfetto, F. (2005). The seasonal pattern in the onset of polymyalgia rheumatica. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 64(11), pp.1662-1663.