[Felty's syndrome].

BACKGROUND

Felty's syndrome is a complication of rheumatoid arthritis whereby patients develop neutropenia of varying severity and splenomegaly. The major sources of morbidity and mortality are recurrent local and systemic infections, although some patients remain asymptomatic.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

In this paper two patients with Felty's syndrome are presented.

RESULTS

One patient had recurrent infections. Clinical manifestations, laboratory features and different modalities of treatment are reviewed.

INTERPRETATION: Splenectomy has long been standard therapy, but disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (such as gold salts and methotrexate) and colony stimulating factors should also be considered in Felty's neutropenia complicated with infections.