RHEUMATIC MANIFESTATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH MYELODYSPLASTIC AND MYELOPROLIFERATIVE DISEASES

Objective. To evaluate the rheumatic complications in patients with my elodysplastic and myeloproliferative diseases. Methods. A retrospectiv e chart review of patients with a rheumatic disease and either a myelo dysplastic or myeloproliferative disorder diagnosed on bone marrow exa mination. Results. Nine patients were identified, 5 with myelodysplast ic and 4 with myeloproliferative disorders. Polyarthritis was the most common rheumatic presentation, occurring in 6 patients with a positiv e rheumatoid factor in 4. Necrotizing vasculitis complicated the cours e in 3 patients. Autoantibodies and hypergammaglobulinemia were presen t in the majority of patients. Conclusion. There is an association bet ween hematologic disorders caused by proliferation of bone marrow deri ved pluripotent stem cells and rheumatic disorders.