Abstract
Background
Rheumatoid arthritis has multiple cutaneous manifestations with rheumatoid nodule being the commonest one. A maculopapular rash in setting of rheumatoid arthritis has a varied list of differentials including rheumatoid vasculitis, pyoderma gangrenosum, rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatosis, interstitial granulomatous dermatitis and palisaded neutrophilic granulomatous dermatitis. We present a rare case of patient with rheumatoid arthritis with perforating collagenosis.
Methods
A case report is presented in the results section.
Results
A 64 year old lady known to have seropositive rheumatoid arthritis for the past 6 years with poor compliance to treatment presented with maculopapular lesions on both her legs and abdomen. The lesions were itchy in nature and later became ulcerative. The lesions spread to various parts of the body over the next 4 weeks and patient was seen by a dermatologist who initially prescribed topical therapy and the patient came off her disease modifying anti rheumatic agents. She underwent a skin biopsy as initial investigations were otherwise unremarkable. Skin biopsy revealed a diagnosis of perforating collagenosis. She was given topical steroids and counselled regarding the need to take her disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs regularly. There was 95% resolution of skin lesions within 6 months.
Conclusion
Perforating collagenosis is a skin disorder characterised by transepithelial expulsion of dermal tissue which presents as a papulonodular rash with central keratin plugs. It is usually associated with diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease but rarely been reported in association with rheumatoid arthritis. Literature review revealed that there have been only 2 cases reported previously. The first case has been described in 2010 in a man from Singapore on treatment for RA for 2 years. Second case has been described by Ikeda et al in 2019 in a case of rheumatoid vasculitis. Clinically it presents as umbilicated, hyperkeratotic papules with a central white keratotic crust. Koebnerization may be seen and itching of surrounding regions may lead to papules to coalesce and form plaques. A biopsy will reveal features similar to those seen in the primary disease where perforating collagenosis shows cup shaped invagination of the epidermis filled with a plug consisting of keratin and cellular debris. There have been no trials and treatment is based on case reports. We believe that better compliance to her disease modifying anti rheumatic agent therapy, leading to improved treatment of the systemic cause had a significant role in resolving her skin lesions.
Disclosures
S. Deb None. S. Srirangan None.
Rheumatoid Vasculitis Following Change to Naturopathic Remedies
