Objective: To differentially diagnose and contextualize pathological lesions suggestive of rheumatoid arthritis.
Materials: The skeletal remains of a 25-30-year-old female dated to c. 1750-1550 BCE from a Nubian Pan-Grave cemetery at the site of Sheik Mohamed, near Aswan, Egypt.
Methods: The skeletal remains were examined macroscopically and a differential diagnosis was conducted following established protocols in the palaeopathological literature.
Results: Symmetrical, bilateral, erosive periarticular lesions with smooth edges were observed in multiple joints (especially in the hands and feet).
Conclusions: Differential diagnosis suggests this individual had rheumatoid arthritis.
Significance: This case suggests the presence of rheumatoid arthritis in ancient Egypt, contributing to a more finely grained understanding of the antiquity and geographical distribution of the condition.
Limitations: It was not possible to radiograph the skeletal remains.
Suggestions for further research: Researchers are encouraged to re-examine any archaeological examples of erosive polyarthropathy using current palaeopathological protocols and to explore the manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis on the African continent.
Keywords: Palaeorheumatology; Pan-Grave; Polyarthropathy; Seronegative spondyloarthropathies; Skeletal pathology.
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