Depigmentation--a rare side effect to intra-articular glucocorticoid treatment

Clin Rheumatol. 2004 Aug;23(4):373-5. doi: 10.1007/s10067-004-0905-8. Epub 2004 May 15.

Abstract

Intra-articular glucocorticoid injections are often used in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, either as bridging therapy or in periods with increased disease activity. We present a case of local skin depigmentation that occurred at the site of injection in a dark-skinned patient. Depigmentation is a rare complication of such therapy but may have important implications for dark-skinned patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Betamethasone / administration & dosage
  • Betamethasone / adverse effects*
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage
  • Glucocorticoids / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intra-Articular
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pigmentation Disorders / chemically induced*
  • Pigmentation Disorders / pathology
  • Remission, Spontaneous
  • Skin Pigmentation / drug effects*

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Betamethasone