INFO - On rheumatoid nodules

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DermNet NZ

Last updated 26 Dec 2007

Rheumatoid Arthritis: specific cutaneous manifestations

Excerpt:

Classic rheumatoid nodules

Occur in about 25% of patients

Most common extra-articular feature of RA

Found in 75% of patients with RA-associated Felty syndrome (in which

there are reduced numbers of neutrophils in the blood and the patient

has a large spleen)

More common in men than women

Generally develop later in the RA disease process but can occur before

any joint disease

Skin coloured, singular or multiple, and range in size from

millimetres to centimetres in diameter

Most are firm and painless but ones on the soles of the feet or palms

may feel uncomfortable

Most commonly occur on those areas prone to mild, repetitive

irritation, e.g. fingers, heel, forearms, back

Although nodules are mostly benign, complications such as infection,

ulceration, and gangrene can occur following breakdown of skin

overlying the nodules

Usually no treatment is necessary unless nodules become debilitating,

ulcerated, or infected. Surgical removal may be performed.

Rarer causes of rheumatoid nodules

Methotrexate-induced accelerated nodulosis usually occurs as small

nodules on fingers, elbows and other joints

Rheumatoid nodulosis is a relatively benign rheumatoid variant

http://www.dermnetnz.org/immune/rheumatoid.html

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Not an MD