Simultaneous occurrence of polymyalgia rheumatica in a married couple

The case of a married couple who simultaneously developed polymyalgia rheumatica is presented. Both patients responded to steroid treatment, and when the steroid dose was gradually reduced both patients relapsed. The aetiology and pathogenesis of polymyalgia rheumatica remain unclear; familial aggregation indicates the involvement of genetic factors, whereas conjugal aggregation indicates infectious/environmental agents. In previous reports of polymyalgia rheumatica in married couples, the onset of symptoms in the two patients has usually been separated by a long chronological interval. It is concluded that the present report of simultaneous development of polymyalgia rheumatica in a married couple lends further support to an environmental or contagious aetiology.