Felty's syndrome with chronic hepatitis and compatible autoimmune hepatitis: a case presentation

Intern Med. 2005 Apr;44(4):335-41. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.44.335.

Abstract

A 68-year-old woman with Felty's syndrome was admitted to our hospital due to breathlessness. She was diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis at age 59 years. Abdominal computed tomography indicated ascites, splenomegaly and liver atrophy. She had no antigens or antibodies for hepatitis virus, or antibodies for mitochondria with the exception of antinuclear antibody. According to the International Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) scoring system, she was diagnosed as having chronic hepatitis, compatible with AIH. The association of Felty's syndrome with AIH is very rare and the most difficult problem to overcome is whether or not steroid therapy is necessary in patients with Felty's syndrome complicated by AIH.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Ascites / complications
  • Ascites / diagnosis
  • Biopsy, Needle / methods
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Felty Syndrome / complications*
  • Felty Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / complications*
  • Hepatitis, Autoimmune / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy
  • Liver / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Failure / diagnosis
  • Liver Failure / etiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed