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Abstract:

"Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE)" is a syndrome characterized by acute symmetrical polysynovitis, involving predominantly the hands, wrists, feet and ankles, and is accompanied by swelling of the hands and feet with pitting edema. Tenosynovitis of the extensor and flexor tendons appears to play a major role in the development of the edema. RS3PE-syndrome mainly affects the elderly with a threefold male predominance. By definition serological tests for rheumatoid factor are negative and radiographic joint destruction is absent. Clinical symptoms respond promptly to low dose corticosteroids. RS3PE-syndrome bears close ressemblance to rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica. Some authors even speculate that RS3PE-syndrome and polymyalgia rheumatica are different manifestations of the same disease. Recent work also describes RS3PE syndrome in neoplastic conditions suggesting a "paraneoplastic" form of the syndrome.