Special forms of rheumatoid arthritis – Felty, Caplan syndrome
1. Big picture
Felty syndrome and Caplan syndrome are classic but relatively rare special forms/extra-articular complications of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They are exam favorites because each has a very recognizable triad:
| Syndrome | Classic triad |
|---|---|
| Felty syndrome | RA + splenomegaly + neutropenia |
| Caplan syndrome | RA + pneumoconiosis + pulmonary nodules |
Think of them as two “advanced RA patterns”:
- Felty syndrome = systemic immune RA affecting blood/spleen → infection risk.
- Caplan syndrome = RA + inhaled dust exposure affecting lung → nodular pneumoconiosis pattern.
The attached rheumatology question file emphasizes that RA is a systemic autoimmune disease with classic extra-articular complications and advanced manifestations such as atlantoaxial subluxation, and that methotrexate is the first-line conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (csDMARD) in RA if not contraindicated.
PART A — FELTY SYNDROME
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