Calciphylaxis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis without renal failure and hyperparathyroidism: the possible role of long-term steroid use and protein S deficiency

Abstract

Calciphylaxis is a rare and life-threatening condition of progressive cutaneous necrosis secondary to small and medium-sized vessel calcification that is seen almost exclusively in patients with end-stage renal disease and hyperparathyroidism. We report a case of calciphylaxis that may very well be due to a long-term steroid use in a rheumatoid arthritis patient who had neither end-stage renal disease nor hyperparathyroidism. We also discuss the possible role of protein S deficiency as a contributing factor.