RHUPUS: DO DIAGNÓSTICO AO TRATAMENTO

Abstract

Rhupus syndrome is an overlap between Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), and it evolves with symmetrical polyarthritis and joint erosions, associated with systemic manifestations of Lupus. The syndrome has a variable prevalence of 0.01 and 2% among connective tissue diseases and is determined by genetic, hormonal and environmental factors. A review was carried out on the Rhupus syndrome, in works published between 2002 and 2021, with the aim of discussing the topic as a means of gathering information in order to assist medical practice in relation to this uncommon disease. Currently, the diagnosis of Rhupus is established through the classification criteria of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus, simultaneously, since it still does not have its own criteria. With regard to the clinical picture, patients with Rhupus have greater joint involvement when compared to patients with RA, in addition to presenting a milder picture of systemic disease compared to patients diagnosed with Lupus. Treatment basically includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, used to reduce pain symptoms, and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD), which act to reduce the progression of the condition. It is concluded that the lack of specific classification criteria may underestimate the incidence of this pathology. Thus, it is necessary to screen for Rhupus in patients with joint involvement already classified as Lupus, or in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis evolving with an antinuclear factor with a pattern greater than or equal to 1:80.