Nonexudative diarrhea after gold salt therapy: case report and review of the literature.

A case of fulminant watery diarrhea after therapy with 485 mg of gold thioglucose in a 78-yr-old woman suffering from rheumatoid arthritis is presented. Evaluation failed to reveal evidence of infection, malabsorption, or mucosal inflammation. Treatment, after stopping therapy, was supportive over several months and the patient recovered completely. A comparison with other presentations of gold induced diarrhea is made through a review of all known cases reported in the literature. Although these cases have many points in common, it is apparent that there is a spectrum of disease from fatal hemorrhagic diarrhea to nonexudative diarrhea. Any diarrhea in a patient receiving gold salt therapy must be thoroughly investigated before continuing therapy.