Eosinophilic pneumonia (EP) associated with rheumatoid arthritis in which drug-induced eosinophilic pneumonia could be ruled out

Eosinophilic pneumonia induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: An underestimated risk

INTRODUCTION

Eosinophilic pneumonia (EP) is a rare but serious adverse drug reaction (ADR) induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

METHODS

We describe the second published case of EP induced by oral diclofenac. We also reviewed the literature as well as French pharmacovigilance database. Case presentation A 63 year-old woman with polyarthralgia had taken diclofenac for three days for analgesic purposes. Progressively, the patient presented weakness, dyspnea and fever. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed bilateral interstitial infiltration. Broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) showed an elevated level of eosinophils. After ruling out all other possible etiologies, drug-induced EP was diagnosed and treatment by corticosteroid was initiated. The patient recovered in three months.

RESULTS

In the French pharmacovigilance database, six cases of EP were recorded (3 with naproxen, 2 with ibuprofen, 1 with piroxicam). In the literature, twenty-six cases of EP with NSAIDs were published. The most commonly involved drug was naproxen (n=8), followed by fenbufen (n=4), ibuprofen (n=3) and diclofenac (n=2). A high level of eosinophils was systematically observed in the blood cell count or BAL. Corticosteroid therapy was started in eleven cases. All patients recovered.

CONCLUSION

Complete history taking and examination should be done to rule out other etiological diagnoses. BAL is sufficient to diagnose EP. Corticosteroid therapy should be indicated for more severe or refractory cases. This adverse drug reaction is underestimated, healthcare professionals should be informed.

Organizing Pneumonia in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Case-Based Review

We treated 21 patients with organizing pneumonia (OP) associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or related to biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) at our institution between 2006 and 2014. Among these cases, 3 (14.3%) preceded articular symptoms of RA, 4 (19.0%) developed simultaneously with RA onset, and 14 (66.7%) occurred during follow-up periods for RA. In the case of OP preceding RA, increased levels of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies and rheumatoid factor were observed at the OP onset. RA disease activity was related to the development of OP in the simultaneous cases. In the cases of OP developing after RA diagnosis, 10 of 14 patients had maintained low disease activity with biological DMARD therapy at the OP onset, and among them, 6 patients developed OP within the first year of this therapy. In the remaining four patients, RA activity was not controlled at the OP onset. All patients responded well to systemic steroid therapy, but two patients suffered from relapses of articular and pulmonary symptoms upon steroid tapering. In most of the RA patients, DMARD therapy was introduced or restarted during the steroid tapering. We successfully restarted a biological DMARD that had not been previously used for patients whose RA would otherwise have been difficult to control. In this study, we also perform a review of the literature on RA-associated or biological DMARD-related OP and discuss the pathogenesis and management of OP occurring in RA patients.

Eosinophilic esophagitis and pharyngitis presenting as mass lesion in a patient with inactive rheumatoid arthritis

We describe here a case of longstanding rheumatoid arthritis (RA) presenting with recurrent episodes of epigastric pain, melena, nonprogressive dysphagia, and hoarseness associated with persistent peripheral blood eosinophilia. Her RA was clinically inactive, but she had significant lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. Computed tomographic scan of the thorax revealed circumferential wall thickening extending from the oropharynx to the gastroesophageal junction with a large polypoidal mass projecting into the lumen of the stomach. Histology revealed infiltration of the esophageal mucosa by eosinophils with a density of 40 to 80 per high-power field. The stratified squamous epithelium of the pharyngeal mucosa was also infiltrated by eosinophils with a density of more than 100 per high-power field. Eosinophilic esophagitis and pharyngitis were diagnosed, and the patient was administered corticosteroids and hydroxyurea, following which her symptoms resolved. On repeat imaging, there was significant reduction in esophageal wall thickening and luminal dilatation. There are few reports of tissue eosinophilia in association with RA, but the pathogenesis and any definite association with RA are not clear.

Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (Carrington's disease) and rheumatoid arthritis

We describe the case of a 60-year-old woman with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (Carrington's disease) who developed symmetric rheumatoid factor-negative polyarthritis suggestive of rheumatoid arthritis. Although these two diseases are well documented as separate entities, 10 cases in the literature suggest possible links. However, the course in our patient raised the possibility of Churg-Strauss syndrome, a condition that may overlap with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia.