Jaccoud's arthropathy revisited

Abstract

Jaccoud's arthropathy is a chronic, non erosive, rheumatoid-like deformity of the hands associated with rheumatic fever and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This deforming arthropathy may present difficulties in differentiating SLE from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We present a case of a 43-year-old woman who was initially diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and several years later, with SLE. The diagnosis of RA was based mainly on the presence of hands deformities. On evaluation she had reducible hands deformities and had no radiographic evidence of joint destruction; thus joint deformities were not consistent with RA but to Jaccoud's arthropathy associated with SLE. Here, we revisit Jaccoud's arthropathy and highlight the importance of a careful joint examination in the assessment of rheumatic diseases.