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A case of normal-pressure hydrocephalus associated with rheumatoid arthritis

Aging Clinical and Experimental Research volume 22, pages 189–191 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis may cause central nervous system complications by means of various mechanisms. We describe the case of a patient with a new diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complicated by normal-pressure hydrocephalus. After treatment with prednisone, the patient improved remarkably as regards mental status, urinary control and gait. We suggest that normal-pressure hydrocephalus may occur as an extra-articular manifestation of RA, caused by a pathogenic inflammatory mechanism. We analyse previous case reports describing a relationship between RA and normal-pressure hydrocephalus, and discuss potential mechanisms underlying this association.

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Affiliations

  1. Centro Medicina dell’Invecchiamento, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico A. Gemelli, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy

    Chiara Catananti MD, Simona Mastropaolo, Cristina Calabrese, Maria Caterina Silveri & Graziano Onder

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  1. Chiara Catananti MD
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  2. Simona Mastropaolo
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  3. Cristina Calabrese
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  4. Maria Caterina Silveri
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  5. Graziano Onder
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Correspondence to Chiara Catananti MD.

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Catananti, C., Mastropaolo, S., Calabrese, C. et al. A case of normal-pressure hydrocephalus associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Aging Clin Exp Res 22, 189–191 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03324795

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03324795

Keywords

  • Dementia
  • hydrocephalus
  • rheumatoid arthritis