Palindromic rheumatism

We present the case of a 56-year-old woman with a one-month history of recurrent, migratory oligoarthritis. Laboratory tests were normal except for positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) titers. Imaging studies were normal. Palindromic rheumatism (PR) was considered as a diagnosis. In this brief report, we discuss the etiopathogenesis, clinical presentation, prognosis and treatment of this entity. We also elaborate on the factors associated with progression to chronic joint disease. It is important for the primary care physician to be aware of this relatively uncommon diagnosis in patients presenting with joint pains and to distinguish it from other causes of recurrent arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA).