title: Massive eosinophilia in rheumatoid arthritis: report of four cases.
abstract: We report four cases of massive eosinophilia (greater than 1.5 X 10(9)/l) a phenomenon uncommon in rheumatoid arthritis. In two patients it preceded therapy with second line anti-rheumatic drugs. The others developed it during therapy with penicillamine and gold, though neither had an adverse reaction. It appears there are two patterns of massive eosinophilia in RA; one is related to the disease process the other to drug therapy. It does not necessarily predict adverse drug reactions nor preclude treatment with anti-rheumatic therapy.
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Dawes
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006052:Gold Sodium Thiomalate / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D006052:Gold Sodium Thiomalate; D010396:Penicillamine