GPs frequently encounter patients presenting with musculoskeletal symptoms, inflammatory markers of uncertain significance and concerns about autoimmune disease or medication side effects.
Distinguishing inflammatory rheumatological disease from common mimics can be challenging, particularly in time-pressured consultations where symptoms are often non-specific.
This module uses practical, case-based discussions to explore common rheumatology presentations seen in general practice, including polymyalgia rheumatica, early inflammatory arthritis, fibromyalgia, methotrexate management and statin-associated muscle symptoms.
Learning objectives
This module will support GPs confidence to:
- Recognise atypical presentations of polymyalgia rheumatica, including cases with normal inflammatory markers, and identify appropriate differential diagnoses and red flags.
- Differentiate inflammatory arthritis from mechanical or non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain through targeted history-taking, examination and interpretation of investigations.
- Apply an evidence-based approach to the assessment of suspected fibromyalgia, including appropriate use of investigations to exclude alternative diagnoses without over-testing.
- Prescribe safely for patients receiving methotrexate by recognising important drug interactions, managing intercurrent infection appropriately and advising on NSAID use.
- Assess and manage statin-associated muscle symptoms, including identifying features suggestive of true myopathy and counselling patients regarding ongoing lipid-lowering therapy.
Reviewed by: Dr Keith Hopcroft, Pulse clinical advisor
Published: 22.05.2026
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