Journal of Rheumatic Diseases  2017;24(3):165-168

doi:10.4078/jrd.2017.24.3.165

Hypereosinophilic Syndrome Associated with the Onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Report.

Jae hee PARK 1 ; Won Seok LEE ; Seoung Ju PARK ; Wan Hee YOO

Affiliations

+expand

Keywords

Hypereosinophilic syndrome; Rheumatoid arthritis

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a disorder characterized by the sustained overproduction of eosinophils and multiple organ damage. Rheumatologic manifestations of HES are infrequent, but persistent eosinophilia is observed in approximately 10% to 40% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This finding may be a result of the RA itself and is often associated with active disease and the presence of extra-articular features. We describe the case of a 48-year-old man affected by HES who subsequently developed RA. Both HES and RA responded rapidly to the corticosteroid and methotrexate therapy. In this patient, the initiation of RA and HES was related, suggesting a common pathogenetic link between these two diseases.