Reiter’s syndrome: Introduction
Reiter's syndrome is a rare type of arthritis that causes inflammation of the urinary tract, eyes, skin, mucus membranes, and joints. Reiter's syndrome, also called reactive arthritis, is believed to occur as a reaction to certain infections of the reproductive system and the digestive system.
Infections that can lead to the complication of Reiter's syndrome include a common sexually transmitted disease called chlamydia. This is the most common cause of Reiter's syndrome. A less common cause of Reiter's syndrome is food poisoning due to Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia or Campylobacter infection. Why some people develop Reiter's syndrome in reaction to these infections
and other people don't is not known, but having a certain genetic
factor called HLA-B27 increases a person's chance of developing Reiter's
syndrome.
Hallmark symptoms of Reiter's syndrome affect the
urinary tract, eyes, skin, mucus membranes, and joints. Complications
include the development of chronic arthritis. For details about additional important complications and symptoms, refer to symptoms of Reiter's syndrome.
Making
a diagnosis of Reiter's syndrome begins with taking a thorough medical
history, including symptoms and history of Chlamydia infection or food poisoning,
and completing a physical examination. A referral is generally made to a
rheumatologist for definitive diagnosis and treatment. There is no
specific test that can diagnose Reiter's syndrome. Diagnosis is made by
evaluating the symptoms and interpreting them in conjunction with tests
that rule out other diseases and conditions and/or increase the
suspicion of a diagnosis of Reiter's syndrome.
For example, a blood rheumatoid factor (RF) test will generally be positive in rheumatoid arthritis,
which has some similar symptoms, but generally negative in Reiter's
syndrome. Other tests may include a C-reactive protein or erythrocyte
sedimentation rate, which indicate an inflammatory process occurring
somewhere in the body. A chlamydia test can diagnose the presence of a chlamydia infection, one of the infections
that can lead to Reiter's syndrome. A test may also be run to check for
the genetic factor HLA-B27, which increases the risk of developing
Reiter's syndrome. X-rays may show some changes that are characteristic
of Reiter's syndrome and may rule-out some other possible causes of
symptoms.
It is possible that a diagnosis of Reiter's syndrome
can be missed or delayed because symptoms can vary amongst individuals
and can come and go. In addition, some symptoms may be similar to
symptoms of other diseases and conditions. For more information on
diseases and conditions that can mimic Reiter's syndrome, refer to misdiagnosis of Reiter's syndrome.
Treatment for Reiter's syndrome varies depending on the underlying infection,
the severity of symptoms, the presence of complications, a person's age
and medical history, and other factors. Reiter's syndrome cannot be
cured, but treatment can help to reduce symptoms until the disorder
resolves spontaneously on its own. Most people with Reiter's syndrome
have a good long-term prognosis and symptoms disappear within about a
year. For details on treatments, refer to treatment of Reiter's syndrome. ...more »
Reiter’s syndrome:
Reiter’s syndrome is a disorder that causes three
seemingly unrelated symptoms: arthritis, redness of the eyes, and
urinary tract signs. ... more about Reiter’s syndrome.
Reiter’s syndrome: A form of reactive arthritis characterized by arthritis, urethritis, conjunctivitis and skin lesions.
More detailed information about the symptoms,
causes, and treatments of Reiter’s syndrome is available below
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