Reiter's Syndrome
What is it?
Reiter's syndrome (RS) is a form of arthritis that affects the joints and involves inflammation of the eyes and the mucous membranes, such as those in the mouth, vagina, penis, and urinary tract. Reiter's syndrome is named for Dr. Hans Reiter, a German physician who first described it. Reiter's syndrome is also known as arthritis urethritica, venereal arthritis, reactive arthritis, and polyarteritis enterica. There are two forms of Reiter's syndrome. One occurs with sexually transmitted infections, and the other occurs after an intestinal
infection.
Who gets it?
Reiter's syndrome is most common in sexually active males between the ages of 20 to 40, and is more likely to affect men who are HIV positive. However, the intestinal form of Reiter's syndrome can occur in anyone, including
children.
What causes it?
Reiter's syndrome appears to be a reaction to an infection that begins in an area of the body other than the joints. In the sexually transmitted form, Reiter's syndrome occurs with infections such as Chlamydia trachomatis or Ureaplasma urealyticum. The intestinal form follows an infection with Shigella, Salmonella, Yersinia, or Campylobacter bacteria. Research has shown that people who develop Reiter's syndrome after exposure to any of these infections seem to have a genetic link to Reiter's syndrome because the same genetic marker (HLA-B27) was found in a high percentage of patients.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of Reiter's syndrome usually begin within 7 to 14 days of exposure to the infection. First, the urethra becomes inflamed, causing painful or uncomfortable urination and a discharge from the penis or vagina. This is followed by arthritis symptoms in the fingers, toes, and weight-bearing joints. The spine is also affected in severe cases. The membrane inside the eyelid and over the eyeball, called the conjunctiva, becomes red and inflamed, causing itching, burning, and tearing. Ulcers develop inside the mouth, and even on the end of the penis. Some patients develop a scaly skin rash, called keratoderma, on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, scalp, or trunk. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Symptoms can disappear within a few months, but can also recur over several
years.
How is it diagnosed?
Your doctor will take a complete medical history and perform a thorough examination. Because symptoms appear over a period of time, your doctor will suspect Reiter's syndrome when arthritis symptoms are followed by inflammation of the mucous membranes such as the eye and urinary tract. He or she may perform blood tests to look for the HLA-B27 marker that indicates the genetic predisposition for Reiter's syndrome. Your doctor may also want to sample any discharge to test for other sexually transmitted
diseases.
What is the treatment?
To treat Reiter's syndrome, your doctor may use antibiotics to treat the infection. The swelling and pain associated with arthritis is treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs.) If skin or eye inflammation is severe, it is treated with corticosteroid ointment or drops. Most patients recover within a few months, but many will have recurrences over the years.
Self-care tips
Men can prevent Reiter's syndrome by abstaining from sex or using condoms.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
|
