Study of rheumatic manifestations and serologic abnormalities in patients with lepromatous leprosy

We investigated the rheumatic and laboratory features associated with rheumatic syndromes in 32 patients with lepromatous leprosy. Twenty-seven (84%) developed a broad range of rheumatic manifestations, the most common being the presence of arthritis which was symmetric and polyarticular, resembling rheumatoid arthritis. The laboratory abnormalities included an elevated sedimentation rate in 32 cases (100%), a positive rheumatoid factor in 6 (18.7%), and antinuclear antibodies in one (3.1%). A careful history and the recognition of rheumatic manifestations will help in the identification of this type of leprosy.