Liver chemistry abnormalities and leg oedema in rheumatoid arthritis. (19th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van Soest, Eva Marianne; Liem, Anho; van Zeben, Jende
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 2018
• Publication Date: 2018-04-19
• Subjects: pericardial disease -- rheumatoid arthritis; Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2017-223206
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : A 66-year-old man with seronegative, erosive rheumatoid arthritis for 12 years presented with malaise, elevated alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase, and leg oedema. He subsequently developed ascites. No liver pathology was found, but cardiac analysis including right heart catheterisation revealed constrictive pericarditis. Rheumatoid constrictive pericarditis is a rare condition, but, despite current effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, still occurs. Diagnostic delay is frequent. Although mortality of the intervention is high, pericardiectomy is needed for most patients.