Increased RAHA titer and interleukin-6 levels in the synovial fluid in a patient with polymyalgia rheumatica

Intern Med. 1993 Jun;32(6):484-6. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.32.484.

Abstract

We report a patient with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) accompanied by an increased Rheumatoid Arthritis Hemagglutinin Test (RAHA) titer and interleukin-6 level in the synovial fluid. A 60-year-old female was admitted because of polymyalgia, a body temperature of 39.2 degrees C, and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate increased to 94 mm/h. Since a muscle biopsy failed to show a specific finding, she was diagnosed as PMR. The titer of RAHA and the interleukin-6 level were increased only in the synovial fluid; prednisolone treatment decreased both. The present case raised the possibility that a similar mechanism in rheumatoid arthritis may involve the development of synovitis in PMR.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / physiopathology
  • Blood Sedimentation
  • Female
  • Hemagglutination Tests*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / analysis*
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica / complications
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica / drug therapy
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica / metabolism*
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Rheumatoid Factor / analysis*
  • Synovial Fluid / chemistry*
  • Synovitis / etiology*

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • Rheumatoid Factor
  • Prednisolone