Clopidogrel-Associated Migratory Inflammatory Polyarthritis.

BACKGROUND Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet medication that plays an important role in primary management and secondary prevention of thrombotic vascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome. It is generally well tolerated by most patients, but rare adverse effects such as inflammatory arthritis has been noted. A very few cases of migratory polyarthritis secondary to clopidogrel have been reported in the literature. CASE REPORT We describe 2 cases of acute migratory polyarthritis associated with clopidogrel that resolved with discontinuation of clopidogrel and did not recur after prasugrel initiation. In the first case, the patient presented with migratory polyarthritis approximately 2-3 days after initiating clopidogrel, and the symptoms lasted in each joint for 1-2 days. In the second case, the migratory polyarthritis started 1 week after initiating clopidogrel, and the symptoms lasted in each joint for approximately 2-3 days. The symptoms completely resolved after discontinuing clopidogrel in both the cases, which is typical of an immune-mediated drug reaction. A diagnosis of acute migratory inflammatory polyarthritis related to clopidogrel was determined in both cases by excluding other conditions causing inflammatory arthritis. In both cases, the eosinophil count was within normal limits, thereby differentiating the disease process from an acute allergic reaction. CONCLUSIONS Identifying the etiology of inflammatory arthritis in a patient on clopidogrel needs extensive evaluation. The diagnosis of clopidogrel-related inflammatory arthritis is often missed due to lack of awareness. Early diagnosis and timely intervention are essential, as the symptoms completely resolve after discontinuing clopidogrel.

Haematological manifestations of lupus.

Our purpose was to compile information on the haematological manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), namely leucopenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and myelofibrosis. During our search of the English-language MEDLINE sources, we did not place a date-of-publication constraint. Hence, we have reviewed previous as well as most recent studies with the subject heading SLE in combination with each manifestation. Neutropenia can lead to morbidity and mortality from increased susceptibility to infection. Severe neutropenia can be successfully treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. While related to disease activity, there is no specific therapy for lymphopenia. Severe lymphopenia may require the use of prophylactic therapy to prevent select opportunistic infections. Isolated idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura maybe the first manifestation of SLE by months or even years. Some manifestations of lupus occur more frequently in association with low platelet count in these patients, for example, neuropsychiatric manifestation, haemolytic anaemia, the antiphospholipid syndrome and renal disease. Thrombocytopenia can be regarded as an important prognostic indicator of survival in patients with SLE. Medical, surgical and biological treatment modalities are reviewed for this manifestation. First-line therapy remains glucocorticoids. Through our review, we conclude glucocorticoids do produce a response in majority of patients initially, but sustained response to therapy is unlikely. Glucocorticoids are used as first-line therapy in patients with SLE with AIHA, but there is no conclusive evidence to guide second-line therapy. Rituximab is promising in refractory and non-responding AIHA. TTP is not recognised as a criteria for classification of SLE, but there is a considerable overlap between the presenting features of TTP and SLE, and a few patients with SLE have concurrent TTP. Myelofibrosis is an uncommon yet well-documented manifestation of SLE. We have compiled the cases that were reported in MEDLINE sources.