A 79-year-old woman with longstanding rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is reviewed in clinic. Despite methotrexate therapy, she has some persistent but mild early-morning stiffness and swelling affecting her hands and wrists. She complains of being exhausted all of the time and with a reduced appetite, and she has lost several kgs in weight in the last two months. She is a non-smoker and drinks only occasionally. Apart from the methotrexate, she takes only paracetamol for pain. There is no other relevant medical history and review of systems is otherwise normal.
Examination This elderly woman is pale with evidence of recent weight loss. She has minimal synovitis in her metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints and wrists. Examination is otherwise unremarkable. What are possible causes of weight loss in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis? * This case is from Docplexus editorial team for educative…
