fact that Felty's syndrome is an immune-mediated disease. A major challenge in treating FS is recurring infection caused by neutropenia. Therefore, in order to decide upon and begin treatment, the cause and relationship of neutropenia with the overall condition must be well understood. Most of the traditional medications used to treat RA have been used in the treatment of Felty's syndrome. No well-conducted, randomized, controlled trials support the use of any single agent. Most reports on treatment regimens involve small numbers of patients. Splenectomy may improve neutropenia in severe disease. Use of rituximab and leflunomide have been proposed. Use of gold therapy has also been described. Prognosis Prognosis is dependent on the severity of symptoms and the patient's overall health. Epidemiology History The condition was named after its discoverer, the American physician Augustus Roi Felty (1895–1964), who in 1924 saw a patient with a rare combination of conditions: chronic arthritis, splenomegaly, and leucopenia. His investigation of the medical literature revealed descriptions of four other cases. His findings prompted him to publish a description of the syndrome, which was subsequently named after him. See also Caplan's syndrome Still's disease or Still-Chauffard-Felty syndrome, the juvenile form References External links Autosomal dominant disorders Syndromes affecting blood Inflammatory polyarthropathies Rare syndromes