Questions
Asked by
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many patients were diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what proportion of them were women. [HL1606]
Information on the number of patients diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica is not collected centrally. However, it is estimated that there are 11 new cases each year per 100,000 population, and this condition is three times more common in women as in men.
Asked by
To ask Her Majesty's Government how soon after diagnosis should patients suffering from polymyalgia rheumatica be referred to a rheumatologist. [HL1607]
It is for health professionals to decide on when patients with polymyalgia rheumatica should be referred to a rheumatologist.
Asked by
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to increase awareness of polymyalgia rheumatica amongst (a) the medical profession, and (b) the public. [HL1608]
We have no plans to further increase awareness of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). Detailed information on PMR, suitable for the general public, is available on the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk/conditions/polymyalgia-rheumatica/Pages/Introduction.aspx.
More technical information, suitable for health professionals, is available at the NHS Evidence website at www.evidence.nhs.uk/search.aspx?t=polymyalgia% 20rheumatica