Key result
NSAIDs and colchicine resolve pericardial effusion presenting as the first sign of rheumatoid arthritis.
Why the study?
Rheumatoid arthritis rarely presents initially with pericarditis and pericardial effusion, creating a diagnostic challenge.
Case Report (n=1)
No
Highlights that rheumatoid arthritis can rarely present initially with pericarditis and pericardial effusion.
May prompt RA evaluation in unexplained pericardial effusion; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease that mainly affects the joints, which can lead to joint deformity. Since the disease is systemic, it affects many organs, including the heart, which can lead to pericarditis, coronary artery disease, and heart failure. We are reporting on a male patient, 34 years of age and Sudanese, who complained of shortness of breath and chest pain that started weeks before he came to the hospital, with no other associated symptoms. The patient was admitted to the hospital, and extensive work was done for the patient, which revealed that he had pericardial effusion secondary to RA, which is the first presentation of the disease. RA rarely presents as a first presentation with pericarditis and pericardial effusion. The patient was managed medically, and he showed significant improvement.
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Alqahtani et al. (2023) conducted a case report in Rheumatoid arthritis with pericardial effusion (n=1). Colchicine and ibuprofen was evaluated on Symptom improvement and regression of effusion. Medical management with NSAIDs and colchicine led to significant symptom improvement and regression of pericardial effusion in a patient presenting with it as the first sign of rheumatoid arthritis.
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