Giant cell arteritis in general practice.

The clinical syndrome of polymyalgia rheumatica is reviewed. The relationship of this disease with temporal arteritis is discussed, and I consider both syndromes have a pathological basis of generalised giant cell arteritis.Seven cases of polymyalgia and four cases of temporal arteritis were recorded during the six-year period (1969-1975) in one general practice.The outlines of management are discussed, with a plea for earlier recognition of the syndromes of polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis in general practice.