Recurrent episodes of arthritis in thalassemia minor.

Recurrent episodes of seronegative asymmetrical arthritis usually lasting less than a week have been observed in 4 patients with beta thalassemia minor. In one case, irreversible joint damage of a wrist joint occurred 14 years after the onset of the rheumatism. Studies of the synovial fluid and synovial membrane performed in 2 cases revealed signs of moderate inflammation. The main differential diagnosis was from microcrystalline synovitis and palindromic rheumatism which was ruled out by clinical and laboratory data.