Reactive arthritis refers to a syndrome where painful joints develop a short time after a previous infection. It most often occurs in the joints of the lower limbs (knees, ankles, toes), but can also occur in the upper limbs. In addition to having painful, swollen joints, other body systems, such as the eyes, skin, muscles or tendons, may be involved. Both men and women can get reactive arthritis. It usually affects people between the ages of 20 and 50. Some people may be more likely to get reactive arthritis. Not every person who gets an infection that can cause reactive syndrome will develop the disease. Some people may have a genetic predisposition and, therefore, a higher risk of developing reactive syndrome. This type of tissue, called HLA-B27, occurs in only a small number of all people.
Causes of Reactive Arthritis
Reactive arthritis occurs in certain individuals following an infection. It is thought that in these people, the infection or some type of damage caused by the infection, results in an autoimmune response. Autoimmune responses occur when certain elements of the body’s natural defenses inadvertently attack normal tissues, damaging them. If you have reactive arthritis one of these types of bacteria may have already made you sick. These include bacteria that cause food poisoning or other intestinal illnesses. The names of these bacteria are Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter and Yersinia. Certain sexually transmitted diseases, such as Chlamydia, can also lead to reactive arthritis. Reactive arthritis cannot be passed from one person to another.
Signs and Symptoms of Reactive Arthritis
If you have Reactive Arthritis, you will probably develop the warning signs within a few weeks after you've had an infection. The symptoms of reactive arthritis can be divided into those which affect the joints and those which affect the non-joint areas. Stiffness, pain and swelling develop in a joint for no apparent reason. The classic joints that become inflamed in reactive arthritis are the knees, ankles, feet, and wrists. The particular joints involved are usually asymmetric, that is, one side of the body or the other is affected, rather than both sides simultaneously. The inflammation leads to stiffness, pain, swelling, warmth, and redness of the joints involved. Patients may develop inflammation of entire fingers or toes which can give the appearance of a "sausage digit." This is also seen in patients with another type of arthritis associated with psoriasis, called psoriatic arthritis. The arthritis of reactive arthritis can be associated with inflammation of the spine, leading to pain and stiffness in the back and the neck. Problems may develop with other body systems such as your tendons, skin and eyes. Some people have pain in the heel where the Achilles tendon. Others have pain underneath the foot where the tendons supporting the arch of the foot attach to the heel. The eyes may feel sore or sensitive to sunlight. Inflammation of the whites of the eye (conjunctivitis) and the iris of the eye (iritis) is frequently seen early in reactive arthritis and may be intermittent. When the whites of the eye are inflamed causing conjunctivitis, there may be no pain. When the colored part of the eye (iris) is inflamed, causing iritis, it can be very painful and especially worse when looking into bright lights. Sores may appear in the mouth or on the genitals. These may be painful or painless. Women may develop irritation of the cervix. This condition may not produce any symptoms. On the other hand, it can lead to pelvic pain and painful sexual intercourse. Cartilage can also become inflamed, especially around the breastbone where the ribs meet in the front of the chest, this condition is called costochondritis. Muscles attach to the bones by tendons. In reactive arthritis, the tendon insertion points can become inflamed (tendinitis), tender, and painful when exercised.
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Medical Content Last Updated on 07/12/2008
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