The authors describe course of highly active seropositive rheumatoid arthritis without development of bony erosions even after 14 years of disease duration. In spite of the absence of erosive changes, there is no doubt about the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis due to criteria being present (6 criteria of Arnett et al., 1987). The development of such a form of rheumatoid arthritis with no erosions and its possible causes are discussed in this case report. The effect of the treatment with low doses of glucocorticoids is discussed, which is in agreement with literature data. Possible role of genetic factors and inflammatory mediators in the initiation of erosions is analysed.

        Key words: radiological progression, erosive changes of RA, glucocorticoid therapy of early RA, inflammatory mediators