[Reiter disease: clinical manifestations and diagnostic criteria]

Reiter's disease in the majority of cases has a postenteral and urogenital genesis, with idiopatic one occurring much more seldom. The clinical picture is rather polymorphous, with typical (full) urethro-oculosinovial symptom complex being encountered in 55 percent of patients, partial one--in 33 percent; in 12 percent of patients there is an extensive urethro-oculoarticular symptom complex. Visceral lesions are noted as myocardiodystrophy, myocarditis, breakdown of the liver, damaged kidneys, lungs, pleura, nervous system. Articular affections as polyartritis is encountered in 62 percent of patients, oligoarthritis--in 33 percent, monoarthritis--in 5 percent; there is also clinical evidence of spinal affections together with those of the pelvic bones. With well-timed diagnosis and adequate therapy the disease runs a mild course. Diagnosis of Reiter's disease in the presence of a characteristic triad does not seem to be a formidable challenge to the practising profession. The use of diagnostic criteria permits recognizing the condition in a timely fashion, the knowledge of further and complementary signs helping the physician in conducting a differential diagnosis.