Abstract

GOMES, Hélder José Ferreira. Rheumatoid arthritis with seven years of evolution without medical follow-up. Rev Port Med Geral Fam [online]. 2020, vol.36, n.5, pp.436-440. ISSN 2182-5173.  https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v36i5.12701.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory, symmetrical and peripheral disease of unknown etiology, preferably involving the joints of the hands and feet. If it is not diagnosed and treated at a suitable time, deformation and joint destruction become permanent, with important functional deterioration. Therefore, the absence of timely treatment may result in the inability to perform daily living tasks, absenteeism, or even unemployment. Case report: A 36-year-old female patient referred for a first visit to the USF, referring, as main complaints, a great joint deformation, predominantly affecting the wrist and fingers, toes, and knees. In addition, she referred to a major functional limitation in activities of daily living (ADL), caused by the great joint deformation associated with asthenia and anhedonia. This whole situation, dragged along for years, was not evaluated and had no medical follow-up because, according to the patient, it was not allowed by the former partner. Comments: Late diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis leads to joint destruction, permanent and irreversible. The submissive behavior pattern, inherent in dependent personality disorder, is a risk factor for abusive behaviors in relationships.

Keywords : Rheumatoid arthritis; Polyarthritis; Extra-articular manifestations; Domestic violence; Dependent personality disorder.

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