Coping with POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA

The cause of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is unknown, possibly a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Affecting around one in 1,200 people in the UK every year, it’s an age-related condition, which is rare under the age of 50, and mostly diagnosed in the over-70s. It’s more common in women than men.

The commonest symptom of PMR is pain and stiffness in the shoulder muscles, neck and hips, usually bilaterally, that develops quickly over a few days or weeks. The stiffness is generally