Acute Pericarditis Unveiling Adult-onset Still's Disease: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Adult-onset Still's Disease (AOSD) is a rare form of systemic inflammatory polyarthritis characterized by various symptoms such as prolonged fever, rash, and arthralgia. However, it can also present with pericardial effusion, often misdiagnosed as being of infectious origin, since AOSD typically manifests with fever and a biological inflammatory syndrome. We report the case of a 54-year-old man hospitalized for dyspnea and chest pain, evolving in the context of intermittent fever related to acute pericarditis. AOSD was considered after excluding any infectious, neoplastic, or autoimmune process. Corticosteroid therapy, followed by treatment with the interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (anakinra), resulted in rapid favorable evolution. AOSD is a rare disease with an unusual presentation and often delayed diagnosis, leading to treatment delays. This case aims to raise awareness among physicians about the multifaceted presentation of AOSD.