Takayasu's arteritis associated with rheumatoid arthritis: a case report and review of the literature

Sir, Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a necrotizing and obliterative segmental panarteritis of unknown aetiology, which attacks the aortic arch and its major branches [1, 2]. Autoimmunity is thought to play an important role, and cases associated with various autoimmune disorders have already been reported [3, 4]. Here, a case of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) which developed into TA is presented and English literature is reviewed briefly. A 36‐yr‐old woman with pain and swelling in both knees, elbows, and the small joints in her hands was admitted to a local hospital in March 1998. She was diagnosed as having RA. Sulphasalazine was administered (2 g/day). On finding that sulphasalazine was not sufficiently effective after a 6‐month period of treatment, methotrexate was also added to her treatment (7.5 mg/week). Her articular symptoms resolved in time. In March 2000 the patient was referred to our hospital with an exacerbation of RA as well as dizziness, neck pain and headaches.