Reactive Arthritis & Osteoarthritis Flashcards
what is reactive arthritis (ReA)?
what are the 2 types of the cause?
STERILE inflammation in large joints typically following infection
- urogenital i.e. STI (e.g. Chlamydia)
- gastrointestinal (e.g. Salmonella, Shigella)
these are gram -ve bacteria produce endotoxin LPS
what are the 3 important EXTRA ARTICULAR manifestations of ReA? i.e. apart from joints
- Skin inflammation (Circinate balanitis; Keratoderma blennorrhagicum)
- Eye inflammation (sterile conjunctivitis)
- sterile urethritis (urethra infection)
Joints+Urethra+Conjunctiva= Reiter Syndrome
what infections might ReA be the first manifestation of?
HIV
Hep C infections
who does ReA mostly affect?
young adults (20-40) more common in males
what is a genetic component in ReA?
e.g. HLA-B27
what is an environmental component in ReA?
e.g. Salmonella infection
how is ReA different to infection in the joints?
ReA is sterile while infection in the joints is septic arthritis
septic arthritis tends to be mono-arthritic most times
why is there no biochemical test to check for ReA?
there is no rheumatoid factor i.e. ReA is seronegative
what are the 3 categories of musculoskeletal symptoms in ReA?
o Arthritis
o Enthesitis
o Spondylitis
what are the arthritic symptoms of ReA?
Asymmetrical.
Oligoarthritis – less than 5 joints affected.
Lower libs more affected.
what are the enthesitic symptoms of ReA?
Heel pain – Achilles tendonitis.
Swollen fingers – dactylitis.
Painful feet – metatarsalgia due to plantar fasciitis.
what are the spondylitic symptoms of ReA?
Sacroiliitis – inflammation of the sacro-iliac joint.
Spondylitis – inflammation of the spine.
what are the extras-articular features of ReA?
o Ocular:
- Sterile conjunctivitis.
o Genito-urinary:
- Sterile urethritis.
o Skin:
- Circinate balanitis.
- Keratoderma blennorrhagicum
[from the original description of ReA: arthritis, urethritis and conjunctivitis following infectious dysentery (Reiter’s syndrome)]
how does arthritis compare in RA and ReA?
RA:
- Symmetrical; polyarticular; small and large joints affected
ReA:
- asymmetrical; oligoarticualr; large joints
how does skin involvement differ in RA and ReA?
RA:
- subcutaneous nodules
ReA:
- Circinate balanitis.
- Keratoderma blennorrhagicum
what is the HLA association in RA and in ReA?
RA: HLA-DR4
ReA: HLA-B27
how does the synovial fluid culture compare in septic arthritis and ReA?
SA: positive
ReA: sterile
which of SA and ReA required antibiotic therapy?
SA
which of SA and ReA requires a joint lavage?
SA
why does RA affect the Atlanto-axial joint despite not causing widespread spondylitis?
this joint contains synovial fluid