Article Title

Polymyalgia Rheumatica Presenting as Depression: The Role of the History and Physical Examination in Psychiatric Assessment

Authors

J.H. Ennis, MSW, MD, McMaster University Medical Center
J.K. LeClair, MD, FRCP (C), McMaster University Medical Center
L. Wadas, BSW, CSW, McMaster University Medical Center
C. Patterson, MD, FRCP (C), McMaster University Medical Center

Abstract

Surveys have indicated that physical examination is a diagnostic tool that is infrequently used by psychiatrists. This is an unfortunate state of affairs in light of the act that the bio-psycho-social formulation of health-care problems is integral to the treatment of psychiatric disorders. The situation becomes all the more complex when faced with the high comorbidity of physical and psychiatric illness in the elderly presenting with depression. The physical examination, guided by a detailed history, must be considered an integral part of the assessment of depression in the elderly. A case study of polymyalgia rheumatica presenting as depression is utilized to underscore this imperative.

Recommended Citation

Ennis, MSW, MD, J.H.; LeClair, MD, FRCP (C), J.K.; Wadas, BSW, CSW, L.; and Patterson, MD, FRCP (C), C. (1993) "Polymyalgia Rheumatica Presenting as Depression: The Role of the History and Physical Examination in Psychiatric Assessment," Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry: Vol. 11: Iss. 2, Article 7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29046/JJP.011.2.004
Available at: https://jdc.jefferson.edu/jeffjpsychiatry/vol11/iss2/7