A Neurological Complication in Rheumatoid Arthritis – A Scenario of Catastrophic Proportions

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a common systemic inflammatory disease that can present with a plethora of extraarticular manifestations. Many patients with RA from low- and middle-income countries do not get timely and adequate treatment with disease-modifying therapies. This results in the perpetuation of a chronic inflammatory state. Focus: Rheumatoid vasculitis (RV) is one of the most aggressive complications of RA resulting from a prolonged proinflammatory milieu. Usually, it has the involvement of multiple organ systems, with cutaneous manifestations being the most common. Neurological presentation is uncommon but severe when present. Highlight: We present a case of severe RV presenting with an unexpected neurological complication consisting of cranial and peripheral neuropathy with small vessel disease and intracerebral haemorrhage. We intend to highlight the morbidity and long-term consequences of inadequately treated RA, the most common inflammatory disease of the connective system especially in light of the neurological presentation.

Keywords

• axonopathy
• motor neuron
• motor neuropathy
• neuronopathy
• rheumatoid arthritis
• rheumatoid vasculitis
• vasculitis