A case of reactive arthritis: a great masquerader

Reactive arthritis is an inflammatory condition with multiorgan system disease potential. Because the standard constellation of symptoms in Reiter syndrome (arthritis, conjunctivitis, and urethritis) is not typically present in all patients, the disease can be easily overlooked if clinical suspicion is not high upon presentation. To highlight the importance of recognizing the potential of this disease in patients with a history of either gastrointestinal or genitourinary illnesses, we present the case of a young healthy male presented on multiple occasions later diagnosed with Reiter syndrome in the setting of a recent diagnosis of prostatitis. He was noted to have classical symptoms including conjunctivitis and arthritis. He was treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during a brief hospital stay and did well. Although reactive arthritis is an easily managed disease, it is easily missed particularly in young otherwise healthy patients who may not present with classic symptoms. Vigilance with regard to patients with vague seemingly unrelated complaints particularly with a history of gastrointestinal- or genitourinary-related illnesses deserves consideration for this disease process.