Differential Diagnosis for 76 year old female with neck and upper body soreness and elevated Sed rate
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA): This is a common condition in elderly females, characterized by inflammation of the medium and large arteries, often presenting with neck and upper body soreness, and significantly elevated Sed rate. The patient's age and symptoms align closely with GCA.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR): This condition often co-exists with GCA and presents with similar symptoms of neck and upper body soreness, and an elevated Sed rate. It is also common in the elderly population.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Although less likely given the acute onset and the patient's age, RA can present with systemic symptoms including soreness and an elevated Sed rate.
- Osteoarthritis or other degenerative conditions: These could cause neck and upper body soreness, but would not typically result in such a significantly elevated Sed rate.
- Do Not Miss diagnoses
- Malignancy (e.g., lymphoma, multiple myeloma): An elevated Sed rate can be a marker of underlying malignancy, which would be critical to diagnose and treat promptly.
- Infection (e.g., endocarditis, osteomyelitis): Certain infections can cause systemic inflammation and an elevated Sed rate, and missing these diagnoses could have severe consequences.
- Vasculitis (e.g., ANCA-associated vasculitis): Other forms of vasculitis could present similarly to GCA and require prompt treatment to prevent serious complications.
- Rare diagnoses
- Relapsing Polychondritis: A rare autoimmune disorder that can cause inflammation of cartilaginous structures, including those in the neck and upper body, and could result in an elevated Sed rate.
- Sjögren's syndrome: An autoimmune disorder that can cause systemic symptoms and an elevated Sed rate, although it is less likely to present primarily with neck and upper body soreness.
- Mixed Connective Tissue Disease: A rare autoimmune disorder that can present with a combination of symptoms from different connective tissue diseases, including an elevated Sed rate.