Genetic connection

[Darcy2000]

Is there a Genetic connection or articles written about the genetic relationship of PMR and more specifically GCA? My mum seemed to suffer a lot with similar symptoms as I am but it was never officially diagnosed

[PMRpro Ambassador]

In that having a Scandinavian heritage predisposes you to developing the autoimmune part of PMR/GCA yes. But your mother and you will have a lot in common in that context. There is no direct genetic link beyond that predisposition as far as is currently known.

rarediseases.info.nih.gov/d....

[Darcy2000 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for information

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

This is just one of the previous posts on this subject -healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

I think the connection is more likely to be environmental as well as just people’s heritage - and not specifically a gene that is hereditary like some illnesses.... although there are a lot of patients in a similar situation as you describe.

[Darcy2000 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks for information

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Darcy2000]

This is extract from PMRpros link -

While the exact cause of giant cell arteritis (GCA) is still being investigated, studies have linked both genetic and non-genetic factors to the development of GCA.[4] Familial cases of GCA have been reported, and research indicates that some people with GCA may have a genetic predisposition to the condition. This means that a person may carry a genetic variation (or more than one genetic variation) that increases their risk to develop GCA, but it may not develop without environment triggers.[5] Because GCA is thought to be caused by an interaction between several genetic and environmental factors, it is said to have multifactorial inheritance.

[Yellowbluebell]

not sure about gca but scats will tell you about her genetic connection with pmr as she, her brother, sister and her father all have or had pmr.

[Maisiek]

I certainly feel there is as in my family my cousin and my aunt had it. I often think of the pain of previous generations without the benefit of diagnosis and steroids 😰

[Louisa1840]

Hi Darcy,

My brother and I both have PMR he lives in North Wales and I have lived in Tasmania for over 50 years.

My doctor's Father and Sister both have it too.

That would seem to imply a strong genetic connection and discount environmental?

My youngest brother also had CFS and my Father and his half sister both died from a form of leukemia. These are all autoimmune conditions.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Louisa1840]

There are a lot of environmental factors that are present all over the world - and still stress the immune system. It is anything that might affect the immune system - and overarching it all is a genetic component that makes your immune system more sensitive. Environment in the sense of nature or nurture is just one factor - chemical as in hazardous substances in air, soil and water, climate, lifestyle, natural events are just the start of the list of possible influences. Then there is illness, trauma, emotional and physical stress.

[ChinaWuntoo]

It was when I told my (locum) GP that my sister has PMR that she suspected, sent me for all the relevant blood tests and then diagnosed PMR for me. If you like, it was an alert that she took notice of.

[kmeikle1]

Hardly hard science, but my mom had GCA and now many years later I have PMR. I do a lot of reading and have read several articles suggesting a genetic connection.

[Rugger]

There is an on-going research study called the 'UK GCA Consortium Retrospective study' that is looking to find out more about the causes of GCA and PMR. Amongst other things, they are looking at the genetic aspect. So people are looking into this.

I am a subject in the study and as well as agreeing to have my medical records scrutinised, I will have blood taken for my genetic profile, once the laboratory is open again after 'lockdown'.

I believe that all the information gathered could be shared internationally.

The study 'Sponsor' is the University of Leeds.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rugger]

Is it generally open or just to Leeds/local patients?

[Rugger in reply to PMRpro]

I don't know, but I'll ask and let you know. Judging by its name, it sounds to be UK-wide.

[Suet3942]

I was told by my consultant that he had a mum and 3 daughters on his patient list who all have it. My mother had it and I think her mother who would have been undiagnosed. She was bedridden for the latter years of her life. Poor woman.

[PMRnewbie2017]

My father had PMR, I have PMR and ?GCA. Our family connections are Ireland and Scotland so there is probably some Viking blood in there somewhere.