Adult Still's Disease

• fever
• joint pain
  • elbow pain
  • knee pain
  • hip pain
  • ankle pain
  • foot pain over small joints of the foot
  • shoulder pain
  • wrist pain
  • hand pain over small joints of the hand

• hip stiffness
• swelling , pain, and inflammation of more than 1 joint
  • shoulder, wrist, knee, elbow, hand, foot, or other joints

• measles-like rash
  • flesh colored, red, or salmon colored
  • particularly over the trunk, may be in other locations

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• glands, swollen
• flank pain or pain in the side getting increasingly worse over months
• blood pressure, low
• armpit lump
• unintentional weight loss
• breathing difficulty
  • splinting of ribs with breathing (e.g., bending over or holding the chest)

• chest pain
  • sharp or stabbing
  • began recently
  • aggravated by breathing deeply
  • aggravated by coughing
  • aggravated by moving around or changing position

• back pain
  • in the lower back
  • NOT behind the thigh and down the inside of the leg (non sciatic)

• abdominal pain getting increasingly more severe

Signs and Tests:
Physical examination may show the presence of signs of pericarditis or pleural effusion . Listening to the chest with a stethoscope ( auscultation ) may reveal a heart murmur or pleural friction rub.

Tests used in the diagnosis of Adult Still's disease include:

• rheumatoid factor that is negative
• ANA test that is negative
• joint X-rays
• chest X-ray that may show pericarditis or pleural effusion

Treatment:
The symptoms of arthritis are generally controlled with adequate doses of salicylates (aspirin (see salicylates - oral) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen. Occasionally, prednisone may be needed for short periods of time.

Prognosis:
This is a chronic disorder that usually can be controlled with treatment.

Complications:

• pericarditis
• pleural effusion

Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms are present that are suggestive of Adult Still's disease.

Call your health care provider if cough , difficulty breathing , or other symptoms develop in a person with Adult Still's.