April 2026

RHEUMATOLOGY

EMERGING THERAPIES FOR POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Polymyalgia rheumatica remains one of the most common inflammatory rheumatic diseases in adults over 50, yet its management continues to rely heavily on glucocorticoids.

At the 2026 Rheumatology Winter Clinical Symposium, ​​Anisha B. Dua, MD, discussed new guidance on obesity medications, including how evolving therapies may shape the treatment landscape and influence stigma in obesity care.

Key Clinical Developments
  • Treatment is no longer limited to just glucocorticoids. Additional therapies have demonstrated efficacy in both new-onset and relapsing disease.
  • Sarilumab, an IL‑6 receptor inhibitor, is now available for patients who have an inadequate response to glucocorticoids or difficulty tapering. This offers a steroid-sparing option in select cases.
  • Ongoing research is evaluating approaches, including IL‑17 inhibition and JAK inhibition, which may expand treatment choices in the future.

Ongoing Challenges
  • Polymyalgia rheumatica lacks validated biomarkers, contributing to variability in diagnosis and treatment decisions.
  • Steroid dependence and relapse. Many patients experience disease flares during tapering, reinforcing prolonged glucocorticoid exposure.
  • The role of imaging and screening for large-vessel involvement in PMR remains unclear. Evidence is still evolving on how these findings should influence management.

Dr. Dua emphasizes the need for larger blinded randomized trials, longer-term data on biologic therapies and better access to specialist care. 
​​Anisha B. Dua, MD, Associate Professor of Rheumatology at Northwestern Medicine

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