• Reactive arthritis (ReA} is a subtype of spondyloarthritis that usually develops 1-3 weeks after a gastrointestinal or genitourinary infection.
• Bacterial agents responsible for ReA
o Gastrointestinal system: Shigella, Salmonella, Yersinia, Campylobacter
o Genitourinary system: Chlamydia
• Bacteria cannot be grown in the culture taken from the joint (aseptic arthritis).
Clinical Findings
joint findings
• Especially the lower extremity joints; asymmetric and oligoarticular.
• Dactylitis (sausage finger) and enthesitis (Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis) can be seen.
• Hip and low back pain are often present.
Extra-articular findings
• Mucocutaneous findings such as conjunctivitis, uveitis, urethritis, keratoderma blenorajica (hyperkeratotic lesions on the soles of the hands and feet) and balanitis circinata (painless ulcers on the glans penis) are common.
Lab Findings
• There may be a nonspecific acute phase response.
• In arthrocentesis, inflammatory joint fluid is aspirated.
• However, microorganism cannot be isolated in culture.
Treatment
• It is beneficial to give NSAIDs in the early period.
• Sulfasalazine can be given in chronic cases.