Reactive Arthritis Flashcards
What is reactive arthritis?
Reactive arthritis involves synovitis in one or more joints in response to an infective trigger.
It typically causes acute monoarthritis, affecting a single joint, most often the knee.
What type of arthritis is reactive arthritis classified as?
Reactive arthritis is a seronegative spondyloarthropathy.
It has a link to the HLA B27 gene.
What is a significant differential diagnosis for reactive arthritis?
Septic arthritis, where infection is inside the joint.
This distinction is important for appropriate management.
What are common triggers for reactive arthritis?
- gastroenteritis
- sexually transmitted infections
Chlamydia typically causes reactive arthritis, while gonorrhea typically causes septic arthritis.
What are the clinical features associated with reactive arthritis?
- bilateral conjunctivitis (non-infective)
- anterior uveitis
- urethritis (non-gonococcal)
- circinate balanitis (dermatitis head of penis)
These features help in identifying the condition.
What is the classic triad of reactive arthritis?
- conjunctivitis
- urethritis
- arthritis
This triad is essential for diagnosis.
What is the hot joint policy for managing reactive arthritis?
All patients presenting with acute warm, swollen, painful joint must have septic arthritis excluded.
Antibiotics are given in the meantime, and joint aspiration is required.
What procedures follow the exclusion of septic arthritis in reactive arthritis management?
- treat trigger infection (e.g. chlamydia)
- NSAIDs
- steroid injection in affected joints
- systemic steroids, if multiple joints
These treatments help manage symptoms and underlying causes.
What is the typical prognosis for reactive arthritis?
Most cases resolve within 6 months and do not recur.
However, recurrent cases may require DMARDs or anti-TNF medications.
True or False: Reactive arthritis typically causes polyarthritis.
False.
It usually causes acute monoarthritis, affecting a single joint.
