Vasculitis, an Early Unusual Presentation of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Report

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease, with rheumatoid vasculitis (RV) being its most threatening complication. We report a case of a 70-year-old female presenting with gangrene of the tips of fingers and toes early in the course of RA, which is a rare manifestation. The skin is the most commonly affected organ in RV, followed by the peripheral nerves. However, almost every organ system can get implicated. The management of RV is mostly empirical, with high-dose glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide. Early diagnosis and optimum management are essential in preventing severe complications of the disease.