[Adult onset Still's disease: about 11 cases].
BACKGROUND
Adult onset Still's disease (AOS) is an inflammatory disorder which associates variable articular and systemic manifestations. Despite a better knowledge of its biological and clinical particularities; the pathogeny of this disease remains unknown. The aim of this study is to analyze the epidemiological, clinical, biological and, outcome characteristics of AOS.


METHODS
It is a retrospective study about 11 cases of AOS hospitalized over a 24-year-period (1982-2005) at The Rheumatology Department of Charles Nicolle's Hospital of Tunis. All patients responded to the Yamaguchi criteria.


RESULTS
Mean age was 35.4 years [20y-70y] with a sex-ratio of 0.57. Fever and articular involvement were the most frequent signs. Cutaneous symptoms were present in 6 patients. Three of our patients developed destructive arthritis. Renal amyloidosis, a rare complication of AOS, has been noted in one case.


CONCLUSIONS
AOS is an unfrequent disorder characterized by its diagnosis and treatment difficulties. Recent advances in immunotherapy may better the management of AOS.
Cheikhrouhou Abdelmoula
Leila
L
Service de rhumatologie--Hôpital Charles Nicolle, Tunis, Tunisie.
Tekaya
Raoudha
R
Ben Hadj Yahia
Chiraz
C
Chaabouni
Lilia
L
Zouari
Rafik
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001168:Arthritis / Q000503:physiopathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000503:physiopathology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016706:Still's Disease, Adult-Onset / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011241:Prednisone