Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE syndrome)

Abstract

A 63-year-old man presented with acute symmetrical polysynovitis associated with pitting edema of both the hands and feet. He was seronegative for rheumatoid factor and no radiologically evident erosion was noted in the joints of his hands and feet. Evaluation excluded congestive heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, and hypothyroidism as the cause of edema. Treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and low-dose steroids induced complete remission. The clinical manifestations of this patient were consistent with those of a distinctive, although rare, form of arthritis called remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE) syndrome. This syndrome has a good prognosis in elderly patients.