Felty's syndrome: response to parenteral gold

Eight patients with Felty's syndrome who had associated fevers, cutaneous ulcers, or infections were treated with parenteral gold. A satisfactory response was noted in 7 of the 8 patients. Improvement in leukopenia (7/8), decrease in infections (5/8) and fevers (7/8), and healing of ulcers (4/5) were noted. We conclude that gold has a role in the treatment of this complication of rheumatoid arthritis.