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[Reactive arthritis--clinical aspects and course].
Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift
|December 23, 1983
Summary
Post-enteritis reactive arthritis, often triggered by Yersinia enterocolitica, is a common post-infection arthritis in Europe. Many cases may signal the onset of chronic seronegative spondylarthritis, like Reiter's syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunogenetics
Background:
- Post-enteritis reactive arthritis is increasingly prevalent in Northern and Central Europe, surpassing rheumatic fever.
- Bacterial infections, particularly Yersinia enterocolitica, act as triggers, with genetic predisposition (HLA-B27 positivity in 80%) playing a significant role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of post-enteritis reactive arthritis.
- To determine the association between post-enteritis reactive arthritis and chronic seronegative spondylarthritis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 51 patients diagnosed with post-enteritis reactive arthritis over a 5-year period.
- Long-term clinical follow-up to assess disease progression and development of chronic conditions.
Main Results:
- The typical presentation involved asymmetric oligoarthritis affecting knees, ankles, and toes, with associated heel and low-back pain.
- Transient liver involvement was noted in 12% of cases. The acute phase averaged 6.5 months.
- Seven patients (approximately 13.7%) developed symptoms of chronic seronegative spondylarthritis during follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Post-enteritis reactive arthritis is a significant clinical entity, often presenting as the initial manifestation of chronic seronegative spondylarthritis.
- Early recognition and monitoring are crucial for managing patients at risk of developing chronic rheumatic conditions such as Reiter's syndrome.