[Jaccoud's arthropathy]

Abstract

Jaccoud's arthropathy is a variant of deforming arthropathy affecting primarily hands. The author presents literature data and analysis of 28 original cases of valvular disease combined with chronic arthritis. Though these cases were diagnosed as Jaccoud's arthropathy, only one of them met Bywaters' criteria. This female patient is described. Jaccoud's arthropathy is suggested to arise due to connective tissue dysplasia resulting in soft tissue impairment in different rheumatic and nonrheumatic diseases. A working classification and additional criteria for postrheumatic Jaccoud's arthropathy are proposed.