title: A case of normal-pressure hydrocephalus associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis may cause central nervous system complications by means of various mechanisms. We describe the case of a patient with a new diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complicated by normal-pressure hydrocephalus. After treatment with prednisone, the patient improved remarkably as regards mental status, urinary control and gait. We suggest that normal-pressure hydrocephalus may occur as an extra-articular manifestation of RA, caused by a pathogenic inflammatory mechanism. We analyse previous case reports describing a relationship between RA and normal-pressure hydrocephalus, and discuss potential mechanisms underlying this association.
authors.affiliation: Centro Medicina dell'Invecchiamento, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico A. Gemelli, Largo F. Vito 1, Rome, Italy. chiaracata@yahoo.it
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Catananti
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mastropaolo
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Calabrese
authors.forename: Maria Caterina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Silveri
authors.forename: Graziano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Onder
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006850:Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / Q000150:complications*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate