BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We intended to describe the clinical characteristics, treatment and evolution of 26 patients with adult onset Still's disease. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This was a retrospective study (1984-2004). The clinical records of patients with adult onset Still's disease were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty six patients were included. Most frequent clinical characteristics were: fever (100%), arthritis (81%), rash (92%) sore throat (92%) and lymphadenopathy (42%). Aspirin controlled the disease in 27% of patients, prednisone was needed in 70% and methotrexate was added in 50% cases. A monocyclic course was seen in 54% and polycyclic in 46% patients. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical characteristics were similar to previous series. A febrile polyarthritis was the most frequent presentation form. A polycyclic course was found in 58% of cases and it seems to be associated with poor prognosis and need for aggressive treatment.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We intended to describe the clinical characteristics, treatment and evolution of 26 patients with adult onset Still's disease. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This was a retrospective study (1984-2004). The clinical records of patients with adult onset Still's disease were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty six patients were included. Most frequent clinical characteristics were: fever (100%), arthritis (81%), rash (92%) sore throat (92%) and lymphadenopathy (42%). Aspirin controlled the disease in 27% of patients, prednisone was needed in 70% and methotrexate was added in 50% cases. A monocyclic course was seen in 54% and polycyclic in 46% patients. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical characteristics were similar to previous series. A febrile polyarthritis was the most frequent presentation form. A polycyclic course was found in 58% of cases and it seems to be associated with poor prognosis and need for aggressive treatment.