A patient with severe palindromic rheumatism and frequent episodes of pain

A 44-year-old man began to experience episodes of joint pain with erythema in his knees, elbows, shoulders, and hands in April 1996. He was diagnosed as having palindromic rheumatism. Due to the increasing frequency and sever ity of these episodes, he was admitted to our hospital in May 1999, Heat th erapy to the affected area produced a rapid improvement in symptoms. In add ition, the continued use of physical therapy during symptom-free periods te nded to reduce the frequency and severity of pain attacks, We present this case and discuss treatment options in patients with palindromic rheumatism.