Palmowski Andriko, Biesen Robert, Hoff Paula, Lehmann Malte, Somasundaram Rajan, Buttgereit Frank, Haibel Hildrun
Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Rheumatologie und klinische Immunologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
The Parker Institute, Section for Biostatistics and Evidence-based Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Kopenhagen, Dänemark.
Z Rheumatol. 2025 Aug 27. doi: 10.1007/s00393-025-01704-1.
The remitting seronegative symmetric synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE) syndrome is a rare inflammatory rheumatic disease of older adults, which can also be paraneoplastic. The main symptom is a rapidly progressing symmetric edematous swelling of both hands, sometimes also both feet, accompanied by (teno-)synovitis. Autoimmune serologies (rheumatic factor, antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides, antinuclear antibodies) typically remain negative. When a diagnosis of RS3PE is made, age-appropriate screening investigations for malignancies should be carried out. In addition, a comprehensive history should be taken and physical examination should be performed focusing on signs of neoplasia, followed by further investigations if necessary. The RS3PE syndrome typically shows an excellent response to treatment with glucocorticoids. A drug-free remission is frequently achieved but sometimes treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) is necessary.