Improved rheumatoid digital vasculitis in a patient treated with TNFα agent blocking (infliximab)

Authors: Benucci, Maurizio¹; Li Gobbi, Francesca²; Saviola, Gianantonio³; Manfredi, Mariangela⁴

Source: Rheumatology International, Volume 28, Number 12, October 2008 , pp. 1253-1255(3)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

Rheumatoid vasculitis (RV) is an uncommon but potentially catastrophic complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There are few current extensive studies and no consensus regarding the clinical, laboratory, histologic features and management or prognosis of RV. We report a case of RV in a 74-year old woman with a long (14 years) history of RA, who developed vasculitis of distal arteries with gangrene of digits of upper and lower extremities. After the failure of various immunosuppressive drugs (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate), the patient was treated with anti-TNFalpha infliximab. Digital gangrene healed within four months from the start of anti-TNFalpha treatment.

Keywords: Rheumatoid vasculitis; TNFα blocking agents

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00296-008-0592-x

Affiliations: 1: Rheumatology Unit, Nuovo Ospedale S. Giovanni di Dio, ASL 10 Florence via di Torregalli 3, Florence, Italy, Email: maubenucci@tiscali.it 2: Rheumatology Unit, Nuovo Ospedale S. Giovanni di Dio, ASL 10 Florence via di Torregalli 3, Florence, Italy 3: Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Unit, S. Maugeri Foundation IRCCS, Mantua, Italy 4: Immunology and Allergology Laboratory Unit, Nuovo Ospedale S. Giovanni di Dio, ASL 10, Florence, Italy

Publication date: 2008-10-01