Neuropathies in the rheumatoid patient: a case of the heavy hand

Scott Med J. 2005 Aug;50(3):125-6. doi: 10.1177/003693300505000312.

Abstract

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a common inflammatory arthritis' with pain and loss of function among its most disabling symptoms. These are mostly secondary to inflammation or mechanical damage to the joints. However it is also important to consider disease complications as a cause of symptoms, especially when the response to treatment is suboptimal. We report an RA patient whose symptoms were resistant to standard therapy, and were actually due to peripheral neuropathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amines / therapeutic use*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnosis*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / therapeutic use*
  • Electromyography
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gabapentin
  • Hand Strength
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / etiology*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Amines
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Gabapentin