Felty's syndrome: response to low dose oral methotrexate

Abstract

We describe a case of Felty's syndrome with persistent severe neutropenia below 200 granulocytes/mm3, splenomegaly and repeated infections. The patient did not respond to treatment with intramuscular gold salts and lithium carbonate. After 2 months of oral methotrexate administration, 7.5 mg weekly, clinical improvement was notable: she remained afebrile, neutropenia disappeared and splenomegaly regressed. This clinical and laboratory improvement persisted 5 months later. Moreover, accidental discontinuance of the drug and later readministration supported the evidence that the improvement was due to methotrexate.