Patient demographics

Age 50 years and older

Symptoms

Acute onset of bilateral pain in the shoulder or pelvic girdle

Associated morning stiffness lasting longer than 45 minutes

Constitutional symptoms such as fever, fatigue, night sweats, or weight loss (present in up to 50% of patients)

Physical examination

Decreased active and passive range of motion in the affected joints

Laboratory findings

Evidence of acute phase reaction (e.g., elevated inflammatory markers)

Ultrasound findings

Subdeltoid bursitis, biceps tenosynovitis, or glenohumeral synovitis

Duration of symptoms

Rapid onset of symptoms lasting longer than two weeks

Response to treatment

Rapid response to appropriate glucocorticoid therapy (typically within two to four weeks)