In this Article

• What is reactive arthritis?
• What causes reactive arthritis?
• What are symptoms of reactive arthritis?
• How is reactive arthritis diagnosed?
• How is reactive arthritis treated?
• What does the future hold for reactive arthritis?
• Reactive Arthritis At A Glance
• Reactive Arthritis Glossary
• Reactive Arthritis Index
• Find a local Rheumatologist in your town

What does the future hold for reactive arthritis?

In the future, new medications will be developed that are more specific in the treatment of reactive arthritis. Trials with long-term antibiotic treatment are under way, and it is possible that these may be especially effective in reactive arthritis that is associated with Chlamydia infection.

The TNF-blockers, such as etanercept (Enbrel) and infliximab (Remicade) have potential for treating severe, resistant reactive arthritis. These drugs may improve both the joint and non-joint areas of inflammation. Further studies of these drugs are underway.

Reactive Arthritis At A Glance

• Reactive arthritis involves inflammation of joints (arthritis), eyes (conjunctivitis), and the genital, urinary, or gastrointestinal systems.
• Reactive arthritis can occur after genital (venereal) infection or bowel infection (dysentery).
• Reactive arthritis shares many features with psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and the arthritis of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
• Reactive arthritis can affect the joints, the spine, the eyes, urinary tract, mouth, colon, and heart.
• There is no single laboratory test for diagnosing reactive arthritis. HLA-B27 genetic marker is commonly found in the blood.
• Treatment of reactive arthritis is directed toward the specific body area(s) inflamed or affected.

For further information about reactive arthritis, please visit the following site:

The Arthritis Foundation

You can also contact:

The Arthritis Foundation
P.O. Box 19000
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
or contact your local chapter

National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Clearinghouse
Box AMS
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
301-495-4484

References:

Koopman, William, et al., eds. Clinical Primer of Rheumatology. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2003.
Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology, W B Saunders Co, edited by Shaun Ruddy, et al., 2000.