Which finding is associated with polymyalgia rheumatica?

In polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), one of the hallmark laboratory findings is an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). This is indicative of an inflammatory process occurring in the body. PMR typically presents with symptoms such as muscle stiffness and pain, particularly in the shoulders and hips, which often improves with movement. The elevated ESR reflects this inflammatory response and helps in differentiating PMR from other musculoskeletal disorders.

In clinical practice, a high ESR is often used as a marker to support the diagnosis of PMR, especially in conjunction with the characteristic clinical symptoms. While PMR does not typically present with joint damage, the inflammatory markers such as high ESR play a critical role in understanding the disease process and guiding further management.