Polymyalgia rheumatica and type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with electromyographic abnormalities that responded well to corticosteroid therapy

A 62-year-old man who had a 14-year history of diabetes complained of low-g rade fever, general malaise, pain of bilateral femurs and hip girdle, and w as admitted to our hospital. The diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) was made from the clinical symptoms, elevated C-reactive protein and erythr ocyte sedimentation rate. Electromyography revealed abnormalities that sugg ested diabetic peripheral neuropathy, However, the abnormalities were impro ved after starting treatment with corticosteroids (PSL). After stopping PSL , electric nerve conduction disturbance developed; therefore, it was sugges ted that peripheral nerve involvement due to PMR was improved by administra tion of PSL regardless of the existence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.