Reactive arthritis

Question 1

Reactive arthritis – Reiter Syndrome

Answer 1

Reactive arthritis – Reiter Syndrome

• Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints
• Reactive arthritis is caused when a joint reacts to an infection elsewhere in the body. The infection that triggers reactive arthritis is not actually in the joint, but is usually in the GI tract or genitourinary tract
• A triad of symptoms * may arise:
  
  • Arthritis
  • Urethritis
  • Conjunctivitis
• All 3 may not arise in all individuals presenting with Reactive arthritis
• Some patients present with only one or 2 symptoms

Question 2

Reactive arthritis common causes

Answer 2

Reactive arthritis common causes

Common causes:

• Gastrointestinal bacteria
  
  • Salmonella, Shigella, Yersina, E.coli
  • Campylobacter, Vibrio
• Sexually transmitted bacteria:
  
  • Chlamydia
  • Gonorrhea
• Respiratory tract bacteria:
  
  • Chlamydophila pneumoniae
• Viral causes
  
  • HIV
  • Some others

Question 3

who get Reactive arthritis

Answer 3

who get Reactive arthritis

• Who gets reactive arthritis ?
• It is uncommon
• Usually affects men aged 20-40 years
• Those who are HLA-B27 positive and have had a _triggering infection *_
  
  • Either GI tract or genitourinary infection
  • Immediately before developing symptoms of reactive arthritis

Question 4

Reactive arthritis diagnosis and persistence

Answer 4

Reactive arthritis diagnosis and persistence

• Symptoms may persist 3 – 6 months
• In some cases arthritis persists long-term
• Diagnosis:
  
  • No test confirms reactive arthritis
  • Diagnosis is made based on symptoms and history of immediate prior triggering GI tract or genitourinary infection/STD
  • Other causes of arthritis need to be ruled out
    
    • Eg. Gout, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis (infection of joint)