A case of emphysematous pyelonephritis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis taking corticosteroid and low-dose methotrexate

Int J Rheum Dis. 2010 May;13(2):180-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1756-185X.2010.01460.x.

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease that is characterized by chronic synovial inflammation. Patients with RA have increased risk of infection; this is related to RA itself or the adverse effects of medication. In this report, we describe a case of emphysematous pyelonephritis in a patient with RA associated with AA amyloidosis and steroid-induced diabetes mellitus who was taking corticosteroid and low-dose methotrexate.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amyloidosis / complications
  • Amyloidosis / immunology
  • Amyloidosis / pathology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology
  • Diabetes Mellitus / chemically induced
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Emphysema / etiology*
  • Emphysema / immunology
  • Emphysema / pathology
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects*
  • Pyelonephritis / etiology*
  • Pyelonephritis / pathology
  • Serum Amyloid A Protein / analysis

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Serum Amyloid A Protein
  • Methotrexate