The association between Turner's syndrome and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Turner's syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disease frequently associated with autoimmune conditions including thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and diabetes. Recent reports have described an association with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and psoriatic arthritis. We describe three additional cases of TS associated with JRA.

The objective of this report is to describe the radiographic and clinical features of TS associated with JRA to heighten awareness of this association and alert radiologists to recognize the superimposition of radiographic bony changes of chronic joint disease and the bone changes of TS. Patients and methods. Clinical history and radiographic images of three girls with TS and arthritis were reviewed. The radiographic findings typical of TS and juvenile arthritis are described.

Of about 65 patients at our center with Turner's syndrome 3 had JRA (as described in this report), supporting the association between TS and JRA. All our patients who met American College of Rheumatology Classification criteria for JRA had radiographic and clinical findings consistent with both their JRA and Turner's syndrome.

We believe that it is important to consider the diagnosis of Turner's syndrome in girls with JRA, recognizing that characteristic radiographic findings such as metacarpal shortening are usually present. Conversely, suspicion of an underlying inflammatory arthritis is warranted in search for radiological findings consistent with JRA in girls with TS and joint symptoms.