Sickle cell crisis following intraarticular steroid therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.

We describe 2 patients who had coexistent rheumatoid arthritis and sickle cell disease. Both patients developed sickle cell crises following intraarticular injection of corticosteroids to control their arthritis. The mechanism of this phenomenon is not clear, but it is suggested that intraarticular steroids be used with caution in patients with sickle cell disease.