Rheumatology: polymyalgia rheumatica: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Rheumatology: polymyalgia rheumatica

Sample item

An older adult has bilateral shoulder and hip girdle aching with morning stiffness, raised inflammatory markers, and no true muscle weakness. What is most likely?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Polymyalgia rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica causes inflammatory stiffness and pain in proximal girdles, usually in older adults, with raised inflammatory markers. Associated giant cell arteritis symptoms must be sought.

Option by option

  • A. Fibromyalgia

    Fibromyalgia causes widespread pain without inflammatory markers.

  • B. Polymyositis

    Polymyositis causes true proximal muscle weakness and raised muscle enzymes.

  • C. Polymyalgia rheumatica (correct)

    Correct. Proximal stiffness without objective weakness is classic.

  • D. Osteoarthritis only

    Osteoarthritis causes mechanical joint pain rather than profound inflammatory girdle stiffness.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Polymyalgia rheumatica. Polymyalgia rheumatica causes inflammatory stiffness and pain in proximal girdles, usually in older adults, with raised inflammatory markers.

Why is "Fibromyalgia" not the answer?

Fibromyalgia causes widespread pain without inflammatory markers.

Why is "Polymyositis" not the answer?

Polymyositis causes true proximal muscle weakness and raised muscle enzymes.

Why is "Osteoarthritis only" not the answer?

Osteoarthritis causes mechanical joint pain rather than profound inflammatory girdle stiffness.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Rheumatology: polymyalgia rheumatica in General Medicine. Associated giant cell arteritis symptoms must be sought.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Rheumatology: polymyalgia rheumatica?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.