Is PMR hereditary?

[SwimmingUpHill]

My mum (aged 83) has just been diagnosed with PMR too - I wasn't aware it might run in families and wonder if anyone else has close relatives who are affected. Thanks.

[Kendrew]

Hi there. I was told by Prof Dasgupta (my rheumatologist) that it isn't a hereditary disease, but there could be a predisposition to it running in families!...... Sounds a very similar thing to me!! Interestingly though, my father had PMR, my sister had GCA for 4yrs, I have PMR and my cousin on my dad's side has PMR. So make of that what you will!!Others will have more information.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Kendrew]

The difference is that hereditary diseases have a specific genes or genes that cause them - like cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, Huntingdon's or haemophila. Sometimes they are sex-linked, sometimes a single inherited gene will cause it, sometimes it must come from both parents but if you have these genes - you will have the disease.

Running in families is usually because you have a set of genes somewhere that makes you more likely to be susceptible to other things causing a problem - certain cancers (breast, ovarian, bowel and prostate included), cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disease which do tend to form clusters in families. But there isn't a particulargene that says "you will definitely develop x"

stuff.co.nz/life-style/well...

[Kendrew in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks PMRpro. I understand that difference much better now. Quite easy to see when it's explained clearly. Seems my family have been a little unlucky though....or lucky!!.... could be far worse conditions we could all have been predisposed to developing!

[lindyloy in reply to Kendrew]

Hi, I have GCA, my older sister has PMR, y younger sister has OA, (all acquired in our 50s/60s.) All my fathers female relations had OA, my niece who is just over 50, has an aunt on her fathers side, who has GCA/PMR so added to us, she is nearing the danger zone!

[jinasc]

This was started in August 2008 and it is worth taking a look at it:

Patients from the UK & USA have collaborated to devise and launch a Global Online Survey, which will provide data, free of charge, to Patients, Researchers and Medics. It could be the biggest online survey (quantisurve.com/cgi-bin/pmr... of its kind ever and may help reveal the cause(s) of two debilitating, life changing illnesses.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

This from a study in 2018, predominantly referring to GCA, but probably similar applies to PMR -

Inherited GCA PMR

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.

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.

Because GCA is thought to be caused by an interaction between several genetic and environmental factors, it is said to have multifactorial inheritance.

In my case, no familial cases of GCA nor PMR, but certainly significant cases of osteoarthritis on maternal side - sister, mother, grandmother, g-grandmother.

[Poshdog]

I too had wondered about the hereditary factor with autoimmune diseases. My father had Parkinsons, as did his mother, and there is some thought that it could be an autoimmune disorder, I have PMR and my daughter is recovering from an autoimmune thyroid disorder.

[Elor in reply to Poshdog]

Hi Poshdog, I have PMR and my daughter has Graves Disease. Did your daughter have problems with her eyes? My daughter is currently off her thyroid medication but she has real problems with dry, sore and bulging eyes. Thankfully she is not overly concerned about her appearance but I do worry about her.

[Poshdog in reply to Elor]

Hi Elor, I don't recall specific problems with her eyes during Graves disease (now resolved). She has asthma and can react allergically to almost anything. Her eyes can be affected as you described by just smelling a flower if the pollen is the 'wrong sort'.

[Maisiek]

I have PMR as Did my cousin and aunt .