Felty syndrome, also known as arthritis-neutropenia-splenomegaly syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis-splenomegaly syndrome, or infectious arthritis, has an unknown cause and may be an autoimmune disease. In 1924, Felty first reported chronic rheumatoid arthritis in adults accompanied by neutropenia and splenomegaly. Since then, similar cases have been frequently reported, and the condition characterized by these three main features has been termed Felty syndrome.

bubble_chart Clinical Manifestations

This disease is a special type of rheumatoid arthritis, often presenting with typical symptoms months or even years after the onset of arthritis, which may include:

1. general malaise, fever, fatigue, anorexia, and weight loss.
2. Brown pigmentation appears on exposed skin, sometimes turning black.
3. Skin or mucous membrane ulcers, especially leg ulcers.
4. Splenomegaly, with some cases presenting as massive splenomegaly.
5. Some patients may experience generalized lymphadenopathy, purpura, and recurrent infections.

bubble_chart Auxiliary Examination

1. Grade II hyperplasia of the erythroid series in the bone marrow with impaired granulocyte maturation.
2. Blood picture: Grade II hypochromic anemia, Grade I thrombocytopenia, a significant decrease in neutrophils, which can be as low as <1×10⁹/L in severe cases; lymphocytes show no significant changes.
3. Lupus erythematosus cell test is negative, Coomb's test is negative, and R-F latex agglutination test is often positive.

bubble_chart Treatment Measures

The use of steroid hormones for treatment may yield short-term efficacy but rarely results in complete remission. Anti-wind-dampness therapies, such as anti-inflammatory agents, penicillamine, chloroquine zinc sulfate, Root Leaf or Flower of Common Threewingnut, etc., can be tried. Immunostimulants, such as transfer factor and levamisole, may improve cellular immune function to some extent. Chinese medicine Chinese medicinals, such as Astragalus Root injection, can regulate immune function.