| CASE REPORT |
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| Year : 2020 | Volume
: 68
| Issue : 2 | Page : 481--482 |
Parkinsonism with Newly Diagnosed Flare-up Rheumatoid Arthritis Mimicking Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Kuo-Wei Lee1, Ching-Fang Chien1, Meng-Ni Wu2, Chiou-Lian Lai2, Li-Min Liou2
1 Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
2 Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University; Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Correspondence Address:
Li-Min Liou
Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital No.482, Shanming Rd., Siaogang Dist., Kaohsiung City 812
Taiwan
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0028-3886.284382
In order to make a correct diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD), it is essential to exclude atypical parkinsonian features, such as early dementia, fall, and autonomic dysfunction. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is a systemic inflammatory disorder, although most patients present in a polyarticular manner. Still some may also present with extra-articular involvement including skin, lung, heart, and the central or peripheral nervous systems. A possible pathogenetic link between RA and PD are proposed. However, the coexistence of RA and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is rarely reported. Here, we report a parkinsonian patient with a newly diagnosed flare-up RA presenting with early falls, postural instability and supra-nuclear gaze palsy, which suggestive of clinically probable PSP. Furthermore, the parkinsonian features respond to anti-rheumatic agents, but not levodopa. Finally, the patient looks like a clinical possible PD. In summary, Parkinsonian patient with newly diagnosed flare-up RA can present with clinically probable PSP. Unbearably painful limb contracture is a clue of the coexistence of RA. Both typical and atypical parkinsonian features respond dramatically to anti-rheumatic medication, but not levodopa.
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