Recurrent episodes of arthritis in thalassemia minor.
Recurrent episodes of seronegative asymmetrical arthritis usually lasting less than a week have been observed in 4 patients with beta thalassemia minor. In one case, irreversible joint damage of a wrist joint occurred 14 years after the onset of the rheumatism. Studies of the synovial fluid and synovial membrane performed in 2 cases revealed signs of moderate inflammation. The main differential diagnosis was from microcrystalline synovitis and palindromic rheumatism which was ruled out by clinical and laboratory data.
D000328:Adult; D001168:Arthritis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D013585:Synovitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000150:complications*