[Reiter disease or reactive arthritis?].

Area of Science:

• Medical History
• Dermatology
• Public Health

Background:

• Hans Reiter described a triad of urethritis, conjunctivitis, and arthritis in 1916.
• Reiter joined the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in 1931 and held significant public health positions.
• He was appointed president of the Reich public health department in 1933.

Discussion:

• Reiter's alleged knowledge of human experimentation at Buchenwald concentration camp is discussed.
• The ethical implications of naming a medical condition after an individual with a Nazi past are central to the debate.
• The German dermatological community is urged to engage in this international discussion.

Key Insights:

• Hans Reiter, who lent his name to reactive arthritis, was a member of the Nazi Party.
• His professional advancement coincided with his political affiliations.
• The historical context raises significant ethical questions for medical nomenclature.

Outlook:

• Further discussion is needed within the medical community regarding the eponym.
• Re-evaluation of medical terminology may be necessary to distance from controversial historical figures.
• This debate impacts how medical history and ethics are perceived in dermatology.