DOI: 10.7241/ourd.20124.76                                                                     article in PDF
Our Dermatol Online. 2012; 3(4): 345-346
Date of submission: 25.03.2012 / acceptance: 09.04.2012
Conflicts of interest: None
 

GOUT – INDUCED BY INFLIXIMAB?- CASE REPORT

Anca Chiriac1, Alice Chirana2, Anca E. Chiriac3, Ancuta Codrina4

1Nicolina Medical Center, Department of Dermtology, Iasi, Romania
2Rheumatology Hospital, Department of Pathology, Iasi, Romania
3University of Medicine Gr T Popa, Iasi, Romania
4University of Medicine Gr T Popa, Rheumatology Clinic, Iasi, Romania

Corresponding author: Anca Chiriac, MD PhD    e-mail: ancachiriac@yahoo.com

How to cite an article: Chiriac A, Chirana A, Chiriac AE, Codrina A. GOUT – induced by Infliximab?- case report. Our Dermatol Online. 2012; 3(4): 344-345.


 

Abstract
Gout is a metabolic disease caused by a disturbance in purine metabolism; crystals of monosodium urate are deposited in tissues, such as joints, kidneys, and soft tissues, producing an inflammatory response. A 52-year-old woman presented in our department with 1 month history of firm, white papules, nodules and plaques over digits. She has been suffered from Rheumatoid Arthritis for many years, she has been under Infliximab therapy for more than 2 years, with good evolution of the disease. She had marked joint deformities of the proximal interphalangeal joints and slight ulnar deviation at the metacarpophalangeal joints bilaterally.
 
Key words: Gout; infliximab; rheumatoid arthritis

 

Introduction
Gout is a metabolic disease caused by a disturbance in purine metabolism; crystals of monosodium urate are deposited in tissues, such as joints, kidneys, and soft tissues, producing an inflammatory response [1].
 
Case Report
A 52-year-old woman presented in our department with 1 month history of firm, white papules, nodules and plaques over digits. She has been suffered from Rheumatoid Arthritis for many years, she has been under Infliximab therapy for more than 2 years, with good evolution of the disease. She had marked joint deformities of the proximal interphalangeal joints and slight ulnar deviation at the metacarpophalangeal joints bilaterally (Fig. 1). Laboratory investigations, including full blood count, coagulation screen, serum chemistry and liver function tests, were all within normal limits. She had positive rheumatoid factor and hiperuricemia (her uric acid level was 19.2 mg/dL -normal up to 6.1). The histopathology established the diagnosis : the presence of an amorphous material in the dermis, formed by aggregates of urate crystals, surrounded by an inflammatory reaction consisting of macrophages, lymphocytes, and giant cells (Fig. 2, 3).
 
Figure 1. 52-year-old woman with nodules and plaques

 

Figure 2. Histopathological aspects of the lesion
Figure 3. Histopathological aspects of the lesion
 
Discussion
In this case tophi were presented as nodules at the distal interphalangeal joints, dorsal aspect of the proximal interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints and toes. They arised in a postmenopausal woman (as they usually do, because of the absence of the protective effect of estrogen on acid uric level), with no previous signs of gout. Tophi had a progressive evolution over a few months, with a spontaneous drainage and a subsequent ulceration on the toe. Among the risk factors for gout, in this case, we could not include: alcohol intake, use of thiazide diuretics, renal dysfunction or hypertension; but we thought of Infliximab as a risk factor [2]. The differential diagnosis included calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (pseudogout), calcinosis cutis, and rheumatoid or cholesterol nodules [3,4], but the diagnosis of gout was strongly considered on the clinical, histopathological grounds corelared with the hiperuricemia. The risk of gout increases with increasing hyperuricemia, although serum uric acid levels may be elevated without clinical evidence of gout [3]. Although many medications also favor this condition, such as low-dose aspirin, cyclosporine, ethambutol, pyrazinamide, ritonavir, levodopa, and nicotinic acid [4], we consider that it is the first case reported in the literature as gout induced by Infliximab in a patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis, taking into considerations that Infliximab is a therapy of choise in chronic tophaceous gout [5].
 
REFERENCES
1. Thissen CACB, Frank J, Lucker GPH: Tophi as first clinical sign of gout. Int J Dermatol. 2008;47(Suppl. 1):49-51.
2. Kling CW, Helm TN, Narins RB: Photo quiz. Intradermal tophaceous gout. Cutis. 2001;196:205-6.
3. Eggebeen AT: Gout: an update. Am Fam Physician. 2007;76:801-8.
4. Falasca GF: Metabolic diseases: Gout. Clin Dermatol. 2006;24:498-508.
5. Fiehn C, Zeier M: Successful treatment of chronic tophaceous gout with infliximab (Remicade). Rheumatol Int. 2006;26:274- 6.

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