Upper limb lymphedema associated with polyarthritis of rheumatoid type.

Kiely, P D; Joseph, A E; Mortimer, P S; Bourke, B E · J Rheumatol · 1994

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

To determine the cause of upper limb edema in 8 patients with peripheral polyarthritis of rheumatoid-type. Objective assessment of lymph function using quantitative lymphoscintigraphy. Seven cases with either rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis were found to have impaired lymph drainage associated with edema. All cases shared a distal rheumatoid pattern of arthritis but showed no relation between severity of lymphatic impairment and either duration or severity of arthritis. Polyarthritis of rheumatoid-type may be associated with lymphedema due to impaired lymphatic function.

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