Related Experiment Videos
Severe pseudomembranous and ulcerative colitis during gold therapy
Endoscopy
|March 1, 1983
Summary
Gold therapy for rheumatoid arthritis can cause severe colitis. A patient experienced pseudomembranous colitis after sodium aurothiomalate injections, requiring several months for recovery after stopping the medication.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Rheumatology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease.
- Sodium aurothiomalate is a gold salt used in rheumatoid arthritis treatment.
- Gastrointestinal side effects can occur with gold therapy.
Observation:
- A 58-year-old patient with rheumatoid arthritis developed severe pseudomembranous and ulcerative colitis.
- Symptoms of watery diarrhea began after the fourth injection of sodium aurothiomalate (130 mg total dose).
Findings:
- Discontinuation of gold administration led to eventual recovery.
- The patient experienced a prolonged recovery period of several months.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare but serious gastrointestinal adverse effect of sodium aurothiomalate.
- Clinicians should be vigilant for colitis in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with gold salts.
- Early recognition and discontinuation of gold therapy are crucial for patient outcomes.