[Palindromic rheumatism].
BACKGROUND
Palindromic rheumatism is an inflammatory rheumatic disease characterised by recurrent attacks of arthritis confined to one or more peripheral joints. Each episode of arthritis rarely lasts more than 14 days, and subsides without leaving any residues.


METHODS
Three patients with palindromic arthritis are presented, and the literature reviewed.


RESULTS
The clinical and laboratory characteristics of the three patients were similar to those generally described for palindromic rheumatism. Two patients developed seropositive rheumatoid arthritis and one patient developed chronic seronegative polyarthritis.


CONCLUSIONS
Palindromic rheumatism may evolve into chronic polyarthritis.
Revmatologisk avdeling, Universitetet i Tromsø.
J T
JT
Gran
D001168:Arthritis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence