Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia associated with sulfasalazine in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Clin Rheumatol. 2004 Jun;23(3):249-51. doi: 10.1007/s10067-003-0848-5. Epub 2004 Feb 24.

Abstract

Pulmonary toxicity and blood dyscrasias are rare side effects of sulfasalazine. Pulmonary pathology is variable, the most common being eosinophilic pneumonia with peripheral eosinophilia, and interstitial inflammation with or without fibrosis. We here present the case of a 68-year-old female patient treated for 6 months with sulfasalazine for rheumatoid arthritis. On laboratory examination, eosinophil count was 97 x 10(3) mm(3). Thorocoscopic biopsy was performed. Histopathologic diagnosis was bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP). This is the first case in the literature to present with sulfasalazine-induced BOOP in a patient with seronegative RA.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia / chemically induced*
  • Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Sulfasalazine / adverse effects*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Sulfasalazine
  • Prednisolone