Overlap Syndrome of Antisynthetase Syndrome and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Report / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

The antisynthetase syndrome is characterized by anti-Jo-1 antibody production, interstitial lung disease, inflammatory muscle disease, and, in many cases, fever, polyarthritis, Raynaud's phenomenon, and mechanic's hands. Joint signs and symptoms occur in up to 90% of patients with antisynthetase syndrome, occasionally as the initial manifestations. Although visual inspection of the hands shows changes that are highly suggestive of rheumatoid arthritis, notable differences exist. Antisynthetase syndrome is a predominantly nonerosive arthropathy with subluxations of the distal interphalangeal joints. It manifests as overlap syndrome with other connective tissue diseases. However, overlap syndrome of antisynthetase syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis is rare. We treated a 51-year-old male patient with overlap syndrome of antisynthetase syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis, and report the case with a review of the literature.