[Reiter's syndrome. A study of 25 cases]

The laboratory, radiological and clinical features of 25 cases of Reiter's syndrome were studied. Most of the subjects were between the 2nd and 4th decade of life (p less than 0.05). We observed a high incidence in females: 92% (p less than 0.01) and a high rate of alcoholism: 24%. Knees (72%) and ankles (44%) were the most afflicted joints. Urethritis (87.5%) and eye problems (87.5%), predominantly conjunctivitis (76%), were the more frequent extra-articular manifestation. HLA-B27 were positive in 81.8% (18/22). Sacroiliitis was confirmed radiologically in 8 patients (32%), being asymmetric in 6 of them. "Fluffy" periostitis (20%) was the more frequent peripheral articulation. The treatment used was indomethacin; we obtained good results in 20 subjects; the remaining 5 had to be treated with steroids to control ocular and joint symptoms. Two or more episodes occurred in a low rate of patients: 28%.