What is Felty's syndrome?
A person with Felty's syndrome has a rare type of rheumatoid arthritis that causes an enlarged spleen and a low white blood cell count. Felty's syndrome results when the immune system mistakenly attacks normal joint tissue and white blood cells. This leads to joint destruction and an impaired ability to fight infection. Felty's syndrome occurs in 1-3 percent of people who have rheumatoid arthritis.

What are the symptoms of Felty's syndrome?
Symptoms of Felty's syndrome include abdominal pain, eye pain, fatigue, joint pains, joint swelling, anorexia, pale skin, and weight loss.

How does the doctor treat Felty's syndrome?
Treatment for Felty's syndrome includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, exercise plan, weight loss, joint rest, medications to control inflammation, and removal of the spleen.

Abnormalities include:

• Anemia
• Darkened skin
• Enlargement of the spleen
• Low platelet count
• Low white blood cell count