| Category | Reactive Arthritis |
Reactive arthritis is a painful form of inflammatory arthritis that develops in reaction to an infection by bacteria. In the past, it went by the name "Reiter's syndrome." Now it belongs to the family of arthritis called "spondyloarthritis."
What is reactive arthritis?
Reactive arthritis is a painful form of inflammatory arthritis (joint disease due to inflammation). It occurs in reaction to an infection by certain bacteria. Most often, these bacteria are in the genitals (Chlamydia trachomatis) or the bowel (Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, and Yersinia). Chlamydia is most often transmitted by sex. It often has no symptoms, but can cause a pus-like or watery discharge from the genitals. The bowel bacteria can cause diarrhea.
Reactive arthritis can have any or all of these features:
Some patients with this type of arthritis also have eye redness and irritation (conjunctivitis). Still, other signs and symptoms include burning with urination (urethritis) and a rash on the palms or the soles of the feet (keratoderma).
What causes reactive arthritis?
The bacteria induce (cause) arthritis by distorting your body's defense against infections, as well as your genetic environment.
How exactly each of these factors plays a role in the disease likely varies from patient to patient. This is a focus of current research.
Who gets reactive arthritis?
The bacteria that cause reactive arthritis are very common. In theory, anyone who becomes infected with these germs might develop reactive arthritis. Yet very few people with bacterial diarrhea actually go on to have serious reactive arthritis. What remains unclear is the role of Chlamydia infection that has no symptoms. It is possible that some cases of arthritis of unknown cause are due to Chlamydia.
Reactive arthritis tends to occur most often in men between the ages of 20 and 50.
Some patients with reactive arthritis carry a gene called HLA-B27. Patients who test positive for HLA-B27 often have a more sudden and severe onset of symptoms. They also are more likely to have chronic (long-lasting) symptoms. Yet, patients who are HLA-B27 negative (do not have the gene) can still get reactive arthritis after exposure to an organism that causes it.
Although immunodeficient, patients who have the AIDS virus HIV can also develop reactive arthritis.
How is reactive arthritis diagnosed?
Diagnosis is largely based on symptoms of the inducing infections and the appearance of typical musculoskeletal (joint and muscle) involvement. If indicated, doctors might order a test for Chlamydia infection or a test for the HLA-B27 gene.
The test for Chlamydia uses a urine sample or a swab of the genitals.
How is reactive arthritis treated?
The type of treatment depends on the stage of reactive arthritis.
Treatment for the early stage:
Acute (early) inflammation can be treated with Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (often referred to as NSAIDs). These drugs, which suppress swelling and pain, include Naproxen, Diclofenac, Indomethacin, or Etorcoxib. The exact effective dose varies from patient to patient.
The risk of side effects of these drugs, such as gastrointestinal (often called GI) bleeding, also varies. Your doctor will consider your risk of GI bleeding in suggesting an NSAID.
Treatment for the late stage:
Chronic reactive arthritis may require treatment with a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (sometimes called a DMARD) such as Sulfasalazine or Methotrexate. Sulfasalazine may be more useful when reactive arthritis is triggered by a GI infection. In some cases, very inflamed joints may benefit from corticosteroid injections (cortisone shots).
New research suggests that a prolonged course of two or more antibiotics might be effective in patients with chronic Chlamydia-induced reactive arthritis. However, more studies are needed.
Talk to your physician about what to expect from treatment with NSAIDs and DMARDs.
Points to remember
