[Subacute benign edematous polyarthritis in the elderly]

Subacute edematous polyarthritis of the elderly is a recently described syndrome. The condition is characterized by its sudden onset and by the presence of important edema of the four limbs, symmetrical polyarthritis, marked inflammatory syndrome, and negative serological test for the rheumatoid factor. Men are predominantly affected, and many of them are carrying the HLA B-7 antigen. The illness subsides within a few months without sequelae. It seems that this syndrome should be clearly distinguished from late onset rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica.