system
Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
A 75-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 6-month history of fatigue. During this period, she has had fever, pain in both shoulders and her hips, and a 5-kg (11-lb) weight loss. She also reports feeling stiff for about an hour after waking up. She has a history of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. There is no family history of serious illness. She has smoked a pack of cigarettes daily for the past 50 years. Her medications include hydrochlorothiazide and atorvastatin. She appears pale. Her temperature is 38°C (100.4°F), pulse is 90/min, and blood pressure is 135/85 mm Hg. Range of motion of the shoulders and hips is reduced due to pain. Examination shows full muscle strength. The remainder of the examination shows no abnormalities. Laboratory studies show an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 50 mm/h and a C-reactive protein concentration of 25 mg/dL (N=0–10 mg/dL). Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?
assistant
Low-dose of oral prednisone