Erythromelalgia with subsequent digital necrosis, glomerulonephritis, and antiphospholipid antibodies

Sergio Paira1, Gustavo Cassano, Virginia Korol

  • 1Rheumatology Section, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital J.M. Cullen, Crespo 2752, (3000) Santa Fe, Argentina. paira@infovia.com.ar

Erythromelalgia is a condition of extremities characterized by redness, increased temperature, and burning pain. We describe the first reported case of erythromelalgia in a young woman with digital necrosis and mesangial nephritis associated with antiphospholipid antibodies. The symptoms and necrosis completely resolved with treatment with corticosteroids. We discuss the differential diagnosis of this entity and highlight the importance of a follow up of these patients, because erythromelalgia may precede a myeloproliferative disorder or systemic lupus erythematosus by months or years.

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