What causes PMR?
Nobody knows exactly. A combination of genetic and environmental factors is thought to be responsible.
It can start just after a flu-like illness, but no single cause has been found. Nothing they did brought it on.
Sources
- NHS: Polymyalgia rheumatica, overview
- Arthritis UK (formerly Versus Arthritis): Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)
- American College of Rheumatology: Polymyalgia rheumatica (patient fact sheet)
- US National Institutes of Health (NIAMS): Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis
Reviewed 2026-11-09 · next review 2027-11-09