A case of erosive polyarthropathy from Medieval northern Italy (12th–13th centuries)

ConclusionsA careful differential diagnosis of the lesions and their macroscopic and radiological appearance are suggestive of a case of rheumatoid arthritis-like polyarthropathy.SignificanceThis case contributes to the debate regarding the antiquity of erosive polyarthropathies, providing additional evidence for the existence of these diseases in the Old World prior to the discovery of the Americas.LimitationsSmall sample size limits discussion of the scope of the disease in antiquity.Suggestions for further researchThis case highlights the need for further macroscopic, radiographic, and biomolecular studies of pre-modern European skeletal samples to investigate the hypothesized pre-existence of these pathological conditions in Europe prior to 1492.
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - Category: Pathology Source Type: research