In this Article

• What is Felty's syndrome?
• What are the symptoms of Felty's syndrome?
• What causes Felty's syndrome?
• How is Felty's syndrome diagnosed?
• How is Felty's syndrome treated?
• Felty's Syndrome At A Glance
• Felty's Syndrome Glossary
• Felty's Syndrome Index

How is Felty's syndrome treated?

Treatment of Felty's syndrome is not always required. The underlying rheumatoid arthritis is managed in the standard fashion. Treatments used for patients with recurring infections, active arthritis, or ulcer in the legs include rheumatoid disease modifying drugs, such as methotrexate and azathioprine. Patients with severe infectious diseases may benefit by weekly injections with a stimulating factor (granulocyte stimulating factor/GSF) that acts to increase the amount of white blood cells. Surgical removal of the spleen has been performed for the same reasons but has not been evaluated by long-term research studies.

Felty's Syndrome At A Glance

• Felty's syndrome is a complication of long-standing rheumatoid arthritis.
• Patients with Felty's syndrome can have more infections than the average person and can develop leg ulcers.
• The cause of Felty's syndrome is not known.
• Felty's syndrome is diagnosed by the presence of three conditions: rheumatoid arthritis, an enlarged spleen, and an abnormally low white blood count.
• Treatment of Felty's syndrome is not always required, but medications are used for serious manifestations.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• azathioprine, Imuran, Azasan - Depicts the medication azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan), a drug used used to inhibit the immune response that causes rejection of kidney transplants, and treat immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, etc.
• CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) - CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography, CAT scan) is a procedure that assists in diagnosing tumors, fractures, bony structures, and infections in the organs and tissues of the body.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis - Learn more about rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes chronic joint inflammation, which has symptoms that include stiffness, fever, muscle and joint aches, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis incorporates the use of first-line drugs (aspirin and corticosteroids for pain and inflammation) and second-line drugs (methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine to prevent joint destruction and promote remission).

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