Abstract:

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complicated with T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGLL). Methods The study was aiming to retrospectively analyze the clinical data, diagnosis and treatment process of a RA patient complicated with T-LGLL admitted to The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, and reviewing related literatures. Results The patient was a 64-year-old man with multiple joint swelling and pain for 10 years and fatigue for 2 years. The disease course was complicated with neutropenia and splenomegaly. In combination with the patient's medical history, physical examination and auxiliary examination, the following findings of admission diagnosis were made: RA, Felty's syndrome (FS).The admission diagnosis results (RA, and Ferty's syndrome [FS]) were made in combination with the case history, physical examination, and auxiliary examination.The patient was confirmed to have T-LGLL after supplementing relevant auxiliary examination and combining corresponding clinical manifestations.The patient's fatigue symptoms were improved without joint swelling and painafter the symptomatic treatment of immunosuppressant and glucocorticoid. Conclusion For patients with RA, RA and T-LGLL may have similar pathogenesis. It is necessary to be alert to the possibility of T-LGLL when developing FS.

Key words: arthritis, rheumatoid, Felty’s syndrome, T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia