Felty's syndrome: response to low dose oral methotrexate

J Rheumatol. 1989 Jul;16(7):983-5.

Abstract

We describe a case of Felty's syndrome with persistent severe neutropenia below 200 granulocytes/mm3, splenomegaly and repeated infections. The patient did not respond to treatment with intramuscular gold salts and lithium carbonate. After 2 months of oral methotrexate administration, 7.5 mg weekly, clinical improvement was notable: she remained afebrile, neutropenia disappeared and splenomegaly regressed. This clinical and laboratory improvement persisted 5 months later. Moreover, accidental discontinuance of the drug and later readministration supported the evidence that the improvement was due to methotrexate.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications
  • Drug Resistance
  • Felty Syndrome / complications
  • Felty Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Gold / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Lithium / therapeutic use
  • Lithium Carbonate
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use*
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Lithium Carbonate
  • Gold
  • Lithium
  • Methotrexate