NEUTROPHILIC DERMATOSIS IN ASSOCIATION WITH RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Extra-articular involvement of the skin in patients with rheumatoid ar thritis is not uncommon. A patient with this condition is reported who developed an unusual cutaneous eruption associated with systemic upse t. Skin biopsy showed a dense dermal neutrophilic infiltrate and after treatment with standard immunosuppressive agents had failed he respon ded to dapsone. The rash recurred on withdrawal of the dapsone but has responded to sulphamethoxypyridamine. It is proposed that this condit ion is a rare but specific entity of unknown cause associated with rhe umatoid arthritis.