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Reactive Arthritis

Reactive arthritis, which may be referred to as Reiter's Syndrome or Post-infectious arthritis, is a very weakening, rare form of arthritis. The name stems from the belief that the immune system is

Body Organs Affected

Reactive arthritis has been known to affect many different organs and organ systems including: eyes, skin, joints, organs of the urinary system and genitals.

Etiology

Typical Person Affected

According to Rheumatology.org, a bout 10 to 20 percent of people experiencing GI and/or genitourinary infections will develop Reactive Arthritis. The presence of the antigen HLA-B27, is commonly seen in patients with Reactive arthritis. Men between the ages of 20 - 50 are at a higher risk for developing this disease. It is not as common amongst women and less symptomatic as well. About 15 percent of persons who had the disease will have some recurrence if they are exposed to infection. Other cases of recurrences can be due to changes in the immune system. Exposure to the HIV/AIDS virus will increase the possibility of getting Reactive Arthritis since the immune system has been compromised.

Symptoms

In many cases, inflammation of the urogenital tract, the joints and the eyes are typical with Reactive Arthritis. Symptoms vary from painful to barely detectable. Urinary symptoms usually occur merely days within exposure to an infection. A low grade fever, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and arthritis develop over the following weeks.

Symptoms include:

Muscle and Joint~Pain in the Achilles
~tendon
~Pain in lower back
~Pain in large joints(hip, knee, ankle)
~Pain in heel

^{Eye and skin}
~Conjunctivitis/pink eye
~skin lesions
~small ulcers in mouth and glans penis. The ulcers are usually painless.

Urinary and Genital

~Incontinence
~urinary urgency
~Penis pain
~inflammed skin
~urinary hesitancy
~urethral discharge
~Genital lesions(men)

Diagnosis
There are no single tests to diagnose Reactive Arthritis. In many cases, diagnosis is delayed. The diagnosis is usually based on symptoms the patient is experiencing. If there is a combination of arthritiswith conjunctivitis, and inflammation of the genitourinary and/or gastrointestinal systems, the doctor will evaluate the patient's history. The onset of these symptoms will also help the doctor to make a diagnosis.

There are three tests that diagnose Reactive Arthritis:

~ HLA-B27 antigen (this is usually present in patients suffering with Reactive Arthritis)
~ Joint X-rays
~Urinalysis (certain bacteria is usually present in the urine of patients with Reactive arthritis)

Treatment

Treatment for this disease is based on where the initial infection began. The patient will be given antibiotics to treat the infection and anti-inflammatory medications to help relieve joint pain. In cases of severe joint pain, a corticosteroid injection may be administered into the area. Once the infection has cleared up, many symptoms associated with Reactive Arthritis disappear.

Prognosis

Symptoms of Reactice Arthritis may disappear in a matter of weeks; the pain can last several months. In roughly 50% of the people infected, symptoms can reoccur. The reoccurance may be caused by reinfection. Usually, the symptoms that appear are joint pain and severe arthritis that may be tough to control with medications.

Prevention

Since this is a disease that reacts to infections in other parts of the body, prevention is aimed specifically at those infections. Practicing safe sex and properly handling food helps a predisposed person to avoid Reactive Arthritis.