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According to this source, it is "unlikely" for PMR to "convert" to RA.
"Can polymyalgia rheumatica turn into rheumatoid arthritis or vice versa?
It’s unlikely for one condition to cause the other. However, some people may receive diagnoses of both conditions in their lifetime. This is usually due to an initial misdiagnosis."
https://www.healthline.com/health/polymyalgia-rheumatica-vs-rheumatoid-arthritis#causes
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The following link states the following:
"Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a form of inflammatory arthritis that mainly affects the shoulders, arms, hips and low back. Symptoms like pain and stiffness often appear suddenly – sometimes literally overnight – but can also develop over a few days or weeks. They usually occur on both sides of the body, are worse in the morning or after resting and get better with movement. For some people, morning pain and stiffness can make it hard to get out of bed or dress. About one-third of patients also develop systemic symptoms like fever, fatigue and unintended weight loss. Unlike other types of arthritis, PMR doesn’t cause swollen joints, making it difficult to diagnose."
https://www.healthline.com/health/polymyalgia-rheumatica-vs-rheumatoid-arthritis#Whats-the-difference-between-rheumatoid-arthritis-and-polymyalgia-rheumatica?
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The bottom line is that PMR is hard to diagnose because other inflammatory conditions mimic PMR and vice versa.
I was diagnosed with a type of inflammatory arthritis called Reactive Arthritis (ReA) at the age of 32. Along with ReA, I had uveitis which is "associated" with Reactive Arthritis. Both of these disorders responded well to high dose prednisone followed by a fast taper. A fast response to Prednisone isn't "diagnostic" of PMR. However, PMR should respond quickly to Prednisone.
When I was 52 years old, I was diagnosed with PMR. At the time PMR was diagnosed, I thought my rheumatologist was changing my diagnosis from ReA to PMR. I asked her specifically, "What happened to ReA?" Her reply was, "Unfortunately I had both ReA and PMR."
What commonly happens --- having one autoimmune disorder puts you at risk of other autoimmune disorders.
"About 25 percent of patients with autoimmune diseases have a tendency to develop additional autoimmune disorders (3). The pathogenesis of multiple autoimmune disorders is not known. "
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3150011/#:~:text=another%20autoimmune%20disease.-,About%2025%20percent%20of%20patients%20with%20autoimmune%20diseases%20have%20a,autoimmune%20disorders%20is%20not%20known.
Replies to "According to this source, it is "unlikely" for PMR to "convert" to RA. "Can polymyalgia rheumatica..."
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@dadcue ,@cgm
You know already that we are in that same boat, unfortunately.
I was diagnosed with reactive arthritis in my early twenties. Like you I was treated with a fast taper of prednisone. They also had me on Indocin and aspirin, cause in those days they did not have the biologics and medications they have now. I also had lots of physical therapy because I was a young mom and they were afraid my joints would stiffen up. I was lucky and all my joint issues cleared up and I was finally able to return to work a year later. And then I went into remission for 20 years! I also have osteoarthritis in my hands with a couple of nodes in my fingers.
PMR did not appear until I was 72( I just turned 75) and this is very different. I’m in my 2nd flare right now and my doctor wants me to take Actemra so hopefully I can get off the prednisone. I’m on 7.5 mg currently.