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Felty's syndrome in a Nigerian
I I Onyewotu1, G C Onyemelukwe, J U Okpapi
1Department of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.
Tropical and Geographical Medicine
|January 1, 1991
Summary
This case report details the first Nigerian patient with Felty's syndrome, a rare complication of rheumatoid arthritis. The patient presented with splenomegaly and leukopenia, alongside impaired staphylococcal killing by granulocytes.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Hematology
- Immunology
Background:
- Felty's syndrome is a rare triad of rheumatoid arthritis, splenomegaly, and neutropenia.
- It typically occurs in long-standing, seropositive rheumatoid arthritis.
- This condition is associated with specific autoantibodies and impaired neutrophil function.
Observation:
- A 55-year-old Nigerian woman with a 10-year history of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis presented with splenomegaly and leukopenia.
- Radiological examination showed no erosions, and subcutaneous nodules were absent.
- The patient exhibited a positive granulocyte-specific anti-nuclear factor and cryoglobulins containing IgA and IgM.
Findings:
- The patient's polymorph-nuclear granulocytes demonstrated impaired staphylococcal killing capacity.
- Despite the presence of splenomegaly and leukopenia, the rheumatoid arthritis was not severely deforming.
- Laboratory findings included positive anti-nuclear factor and specific cryoglobulins.
Implications:
- This case expands the known geographical and clinical spectrum of Felty's syndrome.
- It highlights the importance of considering Felty's syndrome in African patients with rheumatoid arthritis and cytopenias.
- Further research may elucidate genetic or environmental factors influencing Felty's syndrome presentation in diverse populations.