Many conditions can cause an elevated ESR, so this test alone is not proof that a person has polymyalgia rheumatica.Another test that checks the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood may also be conducted. CRP is produced by the liver in response to an injury or infection, and people with polymyalgia rheumatica usually have high levels. However, like the ESR, this test is also not very specific.Polymyalgia rheumatica is sometimes associated with temporal arteritis, a condition requiring more aggressive therapy. To test for this additional disorder, a biopsy sample may be taken from the temporal artery. Treatment
Prednisone is the drug of choice for PMR, and treatment duration is frequently greater than one year. If the patient does not experience dramatic improvement after three days of 10–20 mg oral prednisone per day, the diagnosis should be reconsidered. Sometimes relief of symptoms occurs in only several hours.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen are ineffective in the initial treatment of PMR, but they may be used in conjunction with the maintenance dose of corticosteroid.Along with medical treatment, patients are encouraged to exercise and eat healthily, helping to maintain a strong immune system and build strong muscles and bones. A diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat meat and dairy products, avoiding foods with high levels of refined sugars and salt is recommended. Research in the UK has also suggested that people with polymyalgia rheumatica would benefit from a falls assessment when first diagnosed, and regular treatment reviews.
Epidemiology
No circumstances are certain as to which an individual will get polymyalgia rheumatica, but a few factors show a relationship with the disorder:

Usually, PMR only affects adults over the age of 50. The average age of a person who has PMR is about 70 years old. Women are twice as likely to get PMR as men. Caucasians are more likely to get this disease. It is more likely to affect people of Northern European origin; Scandinavians are especially vulnerable. About 50% of people with temporal arteritis also have polymyalgia rheumatica. See also
Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema
Tocilizumab

References
External links
Questions and Answers about Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis - US National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases