The Difficult Rheumatology Diagnosis

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis is a devastating condition. More so, the diagnosis of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis is often fraught off with much uncertainty and that leads to further suffering to the unfortunate patient. CASE DETAILS: This is a case of Madam A, who presented with many non-specific symptoms and signs involving many systems which was finally diagnosed as seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. This case explores the challenges in reaching this uncommon diagnosis and how anti-inflammatory drugs can bring a miraculous relief to the patient's suffering. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis often presents a real challenge to the medical practitioner and often requires multiple visits and/or shared multidisciplinary care for confirmation of the diagnosis. Once diagnosed and treated with disease modifying anti- rheumatic drugs, often there is a miraculous relief to the patient's suffering.