Upper limb lymphedema associated with polyarthritis of rheumatoid type.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the cause of upper limb edema in 8 patients with peripheral polyarthritis of rheumatoid-type.


METHODS
Objective assessment of lymph function using quantitative lymphoscintigraphy.


RESULTS
Seven cases with either rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis were found to have impaired lymph drainage associated with edema. All cases shared a distal rheumatoid pattern of arthritis but showed no relation between severity of lymphatic impairment and either duration or severity of arthritis.


CONCLUSIONS
Polyarthritis of rheumatoid-type may be associated with lymphedema due to impaired lymphatic function.
Kiely
P D
PD
Department of Rheumatology, St. George's Hospital, London, England.
Joseph
A E
AE
Mortimer
P S
PS
Bourke
B E
BE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001132:Arm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008196:Lymph / Q000502:physiology; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013997:Time Factors