[Mutilans type of rheumatoid arthritis]

In order to investigate the clinical and pathological features of arthritis mutilans, the clinical history, activity of inflammation, histological findings and treatment have been studied on the basis of follow-up of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with arthritis mutilans. A high incidence of arthritis mutilans was observed in rheumatoid patients who have a younger onset, longer history and higher activity of RA without specific pathophysiological features. Joint destruction may further progress in arthritis mutilans despite intensive treatment with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and multi-joint replacement may be required in the patients with this type of arthritis.