A Case of RA-positive Behcet’s Disease with Rheumatoid Arthritis-like Arthralgia

Abstract

A 28 year-old woman was referred to us because of recurrent fever, aphthous stomatitis, genital ulcers and arthralgia for the past 15 years. Besides, she had sufferd from transient, tender erythematous nodules on the left elbow and lower legs. Physical examination revealed a swelling of the soft tissues around the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint of the left index and middle fingers and a marked motor disturbance of both hand joints. Radiographs of the bone revealed ankylosis of carpal bones of bilateral hands and erosive destruction and narrowing of space of the left second and third PIP joints and the left ankle joint. She had an episode of nearly 400 ml of genital bleeding from vaginal ulcers during administration. Laboratory examination revealed positive RA and RAHA tests, an increased level of IgG-rheumatoid factor and HLA B5. The patient was successfully treated with systemic administration of prednisolone, salazopyrin and aspirin.