[Adult-onset Still's disease]

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Internal Medicine
• Immunology

Context:

• Adult onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare systemic inflammatory disorder.
• Characterized by quotidian fever, evanescent rash, arthritis, and leukocytosis.
• Often presents diagnostic challenges, mimicking other febrile illnesses.

Purpose:

• To report on sixteen patients with AOSD and compare them to previously reported cases.
• To review the clinical, laboratory, radiological, and histological features of AOSD.
• To emphasize the importance of considering AOSD in the differential diagnosis of fever of unknown origin and seronegative arthritis.

Summary:

• AOSD onset is sudden, featuring daily fever, transient rash, joint pain, and elevated white blood cell counts.
• Variable findings include liver function abnormalities, swollen lymph nodes, enlarged spleen, and weight loss.
• Patients typically respond well to anti-inflammatory therapy, often requiring corticosteroids for symptom control.

Impact:

• AOSD management requires a high index of suspicion for timely diagnosis.
• Effective anti-inflammatory and corticosteroid therapies generally lead to a favorable functional prognosis.
• Highlights the significance of AOSD in adult patients with unexplained fever or seronegative arthritis.