[Sicca syndrome caused by large granulated lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis]

The proliferation of large granulated T lymphocytes (LGL) with neutropenia and splenomegaly can be observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in a similar way to Felty's syndrome. We report a female with long standing AR, xerophthalmia, xerostomia, neutropenia and LGL lymphocytosis. The phenotype of the latter was CD3+, CD8+, HNK1+. She was treated with methotrexate and corticosteroids. The genetic rearrangement study did not show monoclonality. Although LGL lymphocytosis can infiltrate several organs, salivary glands infiltration has not been reported. The development of a sicca syndrome can be a feature of LGL lymphocytosis and induce diagnostic mistakes in RA.