Reasonable Hypothesis SOP [1] | 19 of 2016 |
Balance of Probabilities SOP [2] | 20 of 2016 |
SOP Bulletin 188 [3]
Polymyalgia rheumatica is a clinical syndrome in which there is persistent muscle ache /stiffness at multiple sites. The neck, shoulder and hip regions are most commonly affected.
There is no definitive test for this condition. Diagnosis is based on the characteristic history. Other possible causes for the symptoms need to be ruled out. An elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate or C-reactive protein level and a rapid response to oral corticosteroids (predinisone) help to confirm the diagnosis.
The relevant medical specialist is a rheumatologist.
* another SOP applies - covered by the giant cell arteritis SOP
Onset may be sudden or gradual. Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, clinical onset can be backdated to when relevant, continuing sysmptoms first developed.
The only worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management. The normal course of isolated, treated polymyalgia rheumatica is for the condition to gradually resolve over 1 to 2 years. Complications from steroid treatment can arise but these are separate conditions and not worsening of the polymyalgia rheumatica.
Place holder node for Rulebase for polymyalgia rheumatica
Polymyalgia rheumatica - Inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for polymyalgia rheumatica Factor
Last reviewed for CCPS 14 December 1998.
Investigative Documents
Medical Report - Inability to Obtain Appropriate Clinical Management - [GQACM] Preliminary questions [21112]
21114 [6] the clinical onset of the veteran's polymyalgia rheumatica occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service. the veteran's polymyalgia rheumatica permanently worsened. the veteran was unable to obtain appropriate clinical management for polymyalgia rheumatica at some time.
21117 [9] the inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for polymyalgia rheumatica contributed to the clinical worsening of polymyalgia rheumatica. 21119 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for polymyalgia rheumatica and VEA service for the clinical worsening of polymyalgia rheumatica. 21122 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for polymyalgia rheumatica and operational service for the clinical worsening of polymyalgia rheumatica. or 21123 — the veteran has established the causal connection between the inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for polymyalgia rheumatica and eligible service for the clinical worsening of polymyalgia rheumatica. Clinical worsening and operational service [21122] or 21128 — the identified illness or injury that prevented the veteran from obtaining appropriate clinical management for polymyalgia rheumatica is causally related to operational service. [14] [15] Clinical worsening and eligible service [21123] or 21133 — the identified illness or injury that prevented the veteran from obtaining appropriate clinical management for polymyalgia rheumatica is causally related to eligible service. [14] [15]
Links
[1] http://www.rma.gov.au/assets/SOP/2016/019.pdf
[2] http://www.rma.gov.au/assets/SOP/2016/020.pdf
[3] https://clik.dva.gov.au/system/files/media/SOP%20Bulletin%20188.pdf
[4] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/64011%23comment-form
[5] https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccpsother-31
[6] https://clik.dva.gov.au/node/70200
[7] clikpopup://CCPS/Reject/OnsetAfterService
[8] clikpopup://CCPS/Reject/NoPermanentWorsening
[9] https://clik.dva.gov.au/21112-inability-obtain-appropriate-clinical-management-polymyalgia-rheumatica
[10] clikpopup://CCPS/ACM/NoContribution
[11] clikpopup://CCPS/ACM/NotOpService
[12] clikpopup://CCPS/ACM/NotOperDuties
[13] clikpopup://CCPS/rejectwilful
[14] clikpopup://CCPS/ACM/NoIllness
[15] clikpopup://CCPS/reject21128,21133No
[16] clikpopup://CCPS/Polymyalgia rheumatic/ACM - onset prior to operational service
[17] clikpopup://CCPS/ACM/OnsetFailOper
[18] clikpopup://CCPS/ACM/NotEligService
[19] clikpopup://CCPS/ACM/NotEligDuties
[20] clikpopup://CCPS/Polymyalgia rheumatic/ACM - onset prior to eligible service
[21] clikpopup://CCPS/ACM/OnsetFailElig