A four-year follow-up of Caplan’s syndrome: A case report

Caplan’s syndrome, also known as rheumatoid pneumoconiosis, is characterized by pulmonary nodules and rheumatoid arthritis in patients with pneumoconiosis. Owing to its low incidence rate and the presence of multiple nodules on lung computed tomography, it is often mistaken for other pulmonary disea...

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Main Authors: Ling Wang, Yanling Liu, Yibin Zhang, Yue Hu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of International Medical Research
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/03000605251353738
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author Ling Wang
Yanling Liu
Yibin Zhang
Yue Hu
author_facet Ling Wang
Yanling Liu
Yibin Zhang
Yue Hu
author_sort Ling Wang
collection DOAJ
description Caplan’s syndrome, also known as rheumatoid pneumoconiosis, is characterized by pulmonary nodules and rheumatoid arthritis in patients with pneumoconiosis. Owing to its low incidence rate and the presence of multiple nodules on lung computed tomography, it is often mistaken for other pulmonary diseases. Herein, we report the case of a 60-year-old man who presented to the hospital with joint edema and recurrent polyarthralgia. Laboratory studies revealed higher levels of rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies, together with an enhanced erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Chest high-resolution computed tomography revealed multiple bilateral nodules during the evaluation for treatment contraindications. Based on the patient’s occupational background and findings from multidisciplinary consultations, a definitive diagnosis of Caplan syndrome was made. Maintenance therapy included low-dose methylprednisolone (gradually tapered and discontinued over 3 months), methotrexate, and hydroxychloroquine. The patient’s arthralgia and pulmonary nodules demonstrated stability over a follow-up period of up to 4 years, thereby indicating the success of this treatment.
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institution Kabale University
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spelling doaj-art-a3ece4c00eff433fbec88d1bdd8445ec2025-08-20T03:28:01ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of International Medical Research1473-23002025-06-015310.1177/03000605251353738A four-year follow-up of Caplan’s syndrome: A case reportLing WangYanling LiuYibin ZhangYue HuCaplan’s syndrome, also known as rheumatoid pneumoconiosis, is characterized by pulmonary nodules and rheumatoid arthritis in patients with pneumoconiosis. Owing to its low incidence rate and the presence of multiple nodules on lung computed tomography, it is often mistaken for other pulmonary diseases. Herein, we report the case of a 60-year-old man who presented to the hospital with joint edema and recurrent polyarthralgia. Laboratory studies revealed higher levels of rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies, together with an enhanced erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Chest high-resolution computed tomography revealed multiple bilateral nodules during the evaluation for treatment contraindications. Based on the patient’s occupational background and findings from multidisciplinary consultations, a definitive diagnosis of Caplan syndrome was made. Maintenance therapy included low-dose methylprednisolone (gradually tapered and discontinued over 3 months), methotrexate, and hydroxychloroquine. The patient’s arthralgia and pulmonary nodules demonstrated stability over a follow-up period of up to 4 years, thereby indicating the success of this treatment.https://doi.org/10.1177/03000605251353738
spellingShingle Ling Wang
Yanling Liu
Yibin Zhang
Yue Hu
A four-year follow-up of Caplan’s syndrome: A case report
Journal of International Medical Research
title A four-year follow-up of Caplan’s syndrome: A case report
title_full A four-year follow-up of Caplan’s syndrome: A case report
title_fullStr A four-year follow-up of Caplan’s syndrome: A case report
title_full_unstemmed A four-year follow-up of Caplan’s syndrome: A case report
title_short A four-year follow-up of Caplan’s syndrome: A case report
title_sort four year follow up of caplan s syndrome a case report
url https://doi.org/10.1177/03000605251353738
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