Reactive Arthritis

Question 1

pathogenesis

Answer 1

in response to infection in another part of the body genitourinary infections - Chlamydia, Neisseria GI infections - salmonella, campylobacter infection triggers an autoimmune arthropathy

Question 2

how does it present?

Answer 2

Large joint (e.g. knee)
Inflamed 1-3 weeks following the infection triad of symptoms =
Reiter’s syndrome - urethritis - uveitis/ conjunctivitis - arthritis
Most cases self-limiting 15-30% are chronic cases with frequent relapses

Question 3

how is it managed?

Answer 3

underlying infectious cause symptomatic relief - IA/IM steroid injections chronic cases - occasionally DMARDs