Introduction:

Adult onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology. AOSD is generally a mild and self-limiting disease, but it could progress to become chronic. The anemia of chronic diseases may occur in patients with acute or chronic immune activation, and is associated with the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Case report:

A 61-year-old woman with several pharyngitis episodes, spiking fever, evanescent salmon-pink skin rash, normocytic normochromic anemia, leucocytosis, thrombocytopenia, polyarthritis, liver dysfunction, marked elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein and, notably high ferritin levels. AOSD was diagnosed after secondary diseases were ruled out. Despite eight month on treatment with high-dose corticosteroids and methotrexate the clinical course the patient worsened, with significant synovitis, joint deformities leading to a worse quality of life and requiring help with activities of daily living. A rapid response to the anti-TNFα golimumab (50 mg/month) was observed from the third month of treatment.

Conclusion:

Golimumab improved anemia, serum C-reactive protein levels, polyarthritis and quality of life in a refractory AOSD.

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