Adult Onset Stills Disease (AOSD) – Interesting Facts

Adult Onset Stills Disease (AOSD)

Adult Onset Stills Disease is a nonfamilial, systemic autoinflammatory disorder similar to childhood-onset Still’s disease (systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis).

It is characterized by seronegative chronic polyarthritis/arthralgias in association with a systemic inflammatory illness including a characteristic fever, various transient rashes, and a neutrophilic leukocytosis.

Childhood-onset Still’s disease was initially described in 1897 by the English pathologist, Sir George F. Still. The characteristic features of this illness were subsequently reported in adults, as detailed by Eric Bywaters in 1971.

5 Interesting Facts of Adult Onset Stills Disease

  • 1. Systemic autoinflammatory illness characterized by quotidian fevers, transient rashes, an inflammatory polyarthritis, and a neutrophilic leukocytosis.
  • 2. No specific test is diagnostic but a ferritin level >1000 ng/mL is common.
  • 3. Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a severe, life-threatening complication occurring in 5% to 10% of patients.
  • 4. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids control 50% of patients, with 33% going into remission.
  • 5. Methotrexate and biologics are required for 50% of patients including the 33% with a chronic disease course.
15585

Sign up to receive the trending updates and tons of Health Tips

Join SeekhealthZ and never miss the latest health information

15856