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eMedicine Journal
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Emergency Medicine
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Rheumatology
Reactive Arthritis Synonyms, Key Words, and Related Terms: Reiter’s syndrome, Reiter syndrome, reactive arthritis, ReA, peripheral arthritis, arthritis, nongonococcal urethritis, conjunctivitis, seronegative spondyloarthropathies, rheumatic disease, urogenital infections, chronic arthritis, Shigella flexneri, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis, Streptococcus viridans, Mycoplasma pneumonia, Cyclospora, Chlamydia trachomatis, Yersinia enterocolitica, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis |
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| AUTHOR INFORMATION | Section 1 of 11 |
Authored by Thomas Scoggins, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Blount Memorial Hospital
Coauthored by Igor Boyarsky, DO, Director of Triage, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, King-Drew Medical Center, University of California at Los Angeles
Thomas Scoggins, MD, is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, and Flying Physicians Association
Edited by Dana A Stearns, MD, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Education, Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital; Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine; Gino A Farina, MD, Program Director, Associate Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; John Halamka, MD, Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; and Robert E O'Connor, MD, MPH, Director of Education and Research, Department of Emergency Medicine, Christiana Care Health System; Professor of Emergency Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University
| Author's Email: | Thomas Scoggins, MD | |
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| Editor's Email: | Dana A Stearns, MD |
eMedicine Journal, February 15 2007, VOLUME 8,
Number 2
| INTRODUCTION | Section 2 of 11 |
Background: In 1916, Hans Reiter described the classic triad of arthritis, nongonococcal urethritis, and conjunctivitis.
What used to be known as Reiter syndrome is now referred to as reactive arthritis (ReA). This change has occurred in part because of Hans Reiter's affiliation and activities with the Nazis during WWII.
Reactive arthritis refers to acute nonpurulent arthritis complicating an infection elsewhere in the body.
Reactive arthritis falls under the rheumatic disease category of seronegative spondyloarthropathies, which includes ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, the arthropathy of associated inflammatory bowel disease, juvenile-onset ankylosing spondylitis, and juvenile chronic arthritis.
Pathophysiology: Reactive arthritis is triggered following enteric or urogenital infections. Reactive arthritis is associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–B27, although HLA-B27 is not always present in an affected individual, particularly in the presence of HIV.
Bacteria associated with reactive arthritis are generally enteric or venereal and include the following: Shigella flexneri, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis, Streptococcus viridans, Mycoplasma pneumonia, Cyclospora, Chlamydia trachomatis, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Bacteria or their components (RNA, DNA) have been identified in synovial fluid cells, synovial biopsy specimens, and circulatory monocytes.
Frequency:
An estimated 1-3% of all patients with a nonspecific urethritis develop an episode of arthritis. Prevalence of inapparent chlamydial infections may make incidence even higher.
After outbreak of S enteritidis, 29% had reactive arthritis.
Occurrence appears to be related to the prevalence of HLA-B27 in a population and the rate of urethritis/cervicitis and infectious diarrhea.
Mortality/Morbidity: Most patients have severe symptoms lasting weeks to 6 months. Approximately 15-50% have recurrent bouts of arthritis. Chronic arthritis or sacroiliitis occurs in 15-30% of cases.
Race: Reactive arthritis is reported most frequently in whites. When reactive arthritis occurs in black persons, it is frequently B27-negative.
Occurrence appears to be related to HLA-B27 prevalence in the population.
Sex: The male-to-female postvenereal ratio is traditionally 5-10:1. The postenteric ratio is 1:1.
Age: The peak onset is in persons aged 15-35 years; reactive arthritis is rarely seen in children. Cases in children are almost entirely postenteric.
| CLINICAL | Section 3 of 11 |
History:
Physical:
Causes:
| DIFFERENTIALS | Section 4 of 11 |
Arthritis, Rheumatoid
Conjunctivitis
Gonorrhea
Gout and Pseudogout
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Iritis and Uveitis
Rheumatic Fever
Sarcoidosis
Syphilis
Tendonitis
Tenosynovitis
Tick-Borne Diseases, Lyme
Other Problems to be Considered:
Septic arthritis
Other reactive arthritides and spondyloarthropathies
| WORKUP | Section 5 of 11 |
Lab Studies:
Imaging Studies:
Other Tests:
Procedures:
| TREATMENT | Section 6 of 11 |
Emergency Department Care:
Consultations:
| MEDICATION | Section 7 of 11 |
Mainstays of therapy for joint symptoms are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Sulfasalazine may be used for patients who do not experience relief with NSAIDs or who have contraindications to NSAIDs.
No published data are available on the effectiveness of selective COX-2 inhibitors; however, COX-2 inhibitors may be tried in patients who do not tolerate NSAIDs.
Extra-articular manifestations are treated individually. Second-line therapies for reactive arthritis, such as systemic or intra-articular steroids, are left to the discretion of the consulting rheumatologist. Antibiotic treatment is indicated for cervicitis or urethritis but not generally for postdysenteric cases.
Cytotoxic therapy, such as methotrexate or azathioprine, is reserved for severe cases and should not be started in the ED. HIV testing must be completed first.
Drug Category: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) -- Although most NSAIDs are used primarily for their anti-inflammatory effects, they are effective analgesics and are useful for relief of mild to moderate pain. To relieve joint symptomatology, a month's treatment at maximum dose is needed before full effectiveness can be evaluated.
| Drug Name | Indomethacin (Indocin) -- DOC; however, other nonsteroidal drugs often are effective. Rapidly absorbed and metabolism occurs in the liver by demethylation, deacetylation, and glucuronide conjugation. |
|---|---|
| Adult Dose | 25 mg PO qid; increase to 50 mg qid prn |
| Pediatric Dose | 1-2 mg/kg/d PO, divided bid/qid; not to exceed 4 mg/kg/d or 150-200 mg/d |
| Contraindications | Documented hypersensitivity (because of potential cross-sensitivity to other NSAIDs, do not give these agents to patients whom aspirin, iodides, or other NSAIDs induce hypersensitivity); GI bleed; renal insufficiency |
| Interactions | Probenecid may increase concentrations and possibly toxicity of NSAIDs; indomethacin may decrease effect of beta-blockers, hydralazine, and captopril; also may decrease diuretic effects of furosemide and thiazides; may prolong PT when coadministered with anticoagulants; monitor PT closely and instruct patients to watch for signs and symptoms of bleeding; indomethacin may increase serum lithium levels and risks of methotrexate toxicity, such as stomatitis, bone marrow suppression, and nephrotoxicity |
| Pregnancy | B - Usually safe but benefits must outweigh the risks. |
| Precautions | Acute renal insufficiency, interstitial nephritis, hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, and renal papillary necrosis may occur; patients with preexisting renal disease or compromised renal perfusion risk acute renal failure; low WBC counts occur rarely, are transient, and usually return to normal while therapy continues; persistent leukopenia, granulocytopenia, or thrombocytopenia warrants further evaluation and may require discontinuing the drug |
| Drug Name | Hydrocortisone valerate (Cortaid, Dermacort, Westcort) -- Topical corticosteroids are adrenocorticosteroid derivatives suitable for application to skin or external mucous membranes and have mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid effects, resulting in a nonspecific anti-inflammatory activity. |
|---|---|
| Adult Dose | Apply sparingly to affected areas bid/qid |
| Pediatric Dose | Apply as in adults |
| Contraindications | Documented hypersensitivity; avoid as monotherapy in primary bacterial infections such as cellulitis, angular cheilitis, impetigo, erysipelas, erythrasma (clobetasol), paronychia, or treatment of rosacea, perioral dermatitis, or acne; do not use on face, groin, or axilla |
| Interactions | None reported |
| Pregnancy | C - Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established. |
| Precautions | Systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids may cause reversible HPA-axis suppression, Cushing syndrome, hyperglycemia, and glycosuria; conditions that augment systemic absorption include application of potent steroids, prolonged use, use over large surface areas, and addition of occlusive dressings |
| Drug Name | Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment (EryPed) -- Indicated for treatment of infections caused by susceptible strains of microorganisms and for prevention of corneal and conjunctival infections. |
|---|---|
| Adult Dose | Apply 1-cm ribbon under lid; not to exceed q4h |
| Pediatric Dose | Apply as in adults |
| Contraindications | Documented hypersensitivity; epithelial herpes simplex keratitis, fungal and mycobacterial infections of the eye, and patients using steroid combinations after uncomplicated removal of a corneal foreign body |
| Interactions | None reported |
| Pregnancy | B - Usually safe but benefits must outweigh the risks. |
| Precautions | Do not use topical antibiotics in ocular infections that are likely to become systemic; prolonged or repeated antibiotic therapy may result in bacterial or fungal overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms; such overgrowth may lead to a secondary infection; take appropriate measures if superinfection occurs |
| Drug Name | Doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin, Vibra-Tabs) -- Interferes with bacterial cell wall synthesis during active multiplication, causing cell wall death and resultant bactericidal activity against susceptible bacteria. |
|---|---|
| Adult Dose | 100 mg PO bid for 3 mo |
| Pediatric Dose | <8 years: Not recommended >8 years: 2-5 mg/kg/d PO once or divided bid; not to exceed 200 mg/d |
| Contraindications | Documented hypersensitivity; severe hepatic dysfunction |
| Interactions | Antacids containing aluminum, calcium, magnesium, iron, or bismuth subsalicylate may decrease doxycycline bioavailability; tetracyclines may increase the hypoprothrombinemic effects of anticoagulants; prothrombin activity should be monitored in patients taking both of these types of medications concurrently; coadministration of tetracyclines may decrease pharmacologic effects of oral contraceptives, causing breakthrough bleeding and increased risk of pregnancy |
| Pregnancy | D - Unsafe in pregnancy |
| Precautions | Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or tanning equipment because a photosensitivity reaction may occur; use lower than usual doses in patients with renal impairment; if therapy is prolonged, drug serum level determinations may be advisable; use of tetracyclines during tooth development (last one half of pregnancy through 8 y) may cause permanent discoloration of teeth; never administer outdated tetracyclines; degradation products of tetracyclines are highly nephrotoxic and have, on occasion, produced a Fanconilike syndrome |
| Drug Name | Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) -- DOC for improvement in clinical parameters, except joint involvement, in enterogenic reactive arthritis. Ciprofloxacin is a bactericidal antibiotic that inhibits bacterial DNA synthesis and, consequently, growth by inhibiting DNA-gyrase in susceptible organisms. |
|---|---|
| Adult Dose | 250-500 mg PO bid |
| Pediatric Dose | <18 years: Not recommended >18 years: Administer as in adults |
| Contraindications | Documented hypersensitivity |
| Interactions | Antacids, iron salts, and zinc salts may interfere with GI absorption of fluoroquinolones, resulting in decreased serum levels (administer antacids 2-4 h before or after taking fluoroquinolones) Cimetidine may interfere with metabolism of fluoroquinolones; ciprofloxacin may reduce therapeutic effects of phenytoin; probenecid may reduce ciprofloxacin renal clearance by 50% and increase serum concentration by 50%; ciprofloxacin may increase theophylline and caffeine concentrations and prolong their duration of action; ciprofloxacin may increase nephrotoxic effect of cyclosporine; digoxin serum levels may be increased when used concurrently with ciprofloxacin; digoxin levels should be monitored; ciprofloxacin may increase effects of anticoagulants; prothrombin time should be monitored |
| Pregnancy | C - Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established. |
| Precautions | In prolonged therapy, perform periodic evaluations of organ system functions, including renal, hepatic, and hematopoietic; patients with renal function impairment may require a dose adjustment; prolonged or repeated antibiotic therapy may result in bacterial or fungal overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms; such overgrowth may lead to a secondary infection; take appropriate measures if superinfection occurs |
| Drug Name | Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) -- Useful in management of ulcerative colitis and acts locally in colon to decrease inflammatory response and systemically inhibits prostaglandin synthesis. |
|---|---|
| Adult Dose | 1000 mg enteric-coated PO bid |
| Pediatric Dose | <2 years: Not established >2 years: 40-60 mg/kg/d PO in 3-6 divided doses; follow with a maintenance dose of 20-30 mg/kg/d divided qid |
| Contraindications | Documented hypersensitivity; GI or GU obstruction |
| Interactions | Sulfasalazine decreases effect of iron, digoxin, and folic acid, and, conversely, increases effect of oral anticoagulants, oral hypoglycemic agents, and methotrexate |
| Pregnancy | B - Usually safe but benefits must outweigh the risks. |
| Precautions | Use caution in patients with renal or hepatic impairment, blood dyscrasias, or urinary obstruction |
| FOLLOW-UP | Section 8 of 11 |
Further Inpatient Care:
In/Out Patient Meds:
Complications:
Prognosis:
Patient Education:
| MISCELLANEOUS | Section 9 of 11 |
Medical/Legal Pitfalls:
Special Concerns:
| TEST QUESTIONS | Section 10 of 11 |
CME Question 1: A 20-year-old man presents to the ED with a history of arthralgias, tearing eyes, and a clear urethral discharge. Which of the following statements is correct?
A: Chlamydia can be cultured from joint fluid.
B: Characteristic arthropathy, enthesopathy, refers to synovial inflammation.
C: Urethritis associated with reactive arthritis may be postdysenteric or postvenereal.
D: Most patients develop chronic arthritis.
E: Conjunctivitis is caused by a chlamydial infection.
The correct answer is C: Infectious organisms cannot be cultured from a joint. Chlamydial conjunctivitis may be the inciting infection for reactive arthritis, but conjunctivitis usually is not secondary to the organism. Although recurrences are frequent, development of reactive arthritis occurs in only 15-30% of patients. Synovium is not involved; rather, an inflammatory process occurs at the tendinous insertion in the bone. Venereal and dysenteric disease can precede reactive arthritis.
CME Question 2: An ED physician diagnoses reactive arthritis in a patient with HIV. Which of the following statements regarding treatment is correct?
A: Antibiotics may decrease duration of symptoms.
B: Oral steroids are indicated for joint symptoms.
C: Ciprofloxacin has been shown to improve all symptoms of enterogenic reactive arthritis.
D: Erythromycin ointment is useful for treatment of balanitis circinata and keratoderma blenorrhagica.
E: Cytotoxic agents are useful in patients with HIV.
The correct answer is A: Identification of infectious etiology, especially from the genitourinary tract, for reactive arthritis is important. A prolonged course may decrease recurrences. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents are the mainstay of therapy for joint symptoms. Ciprofloxacin is useful in all but the joint symptoms in enterogenic reactive arthritis. Skin manifestations should be treated with low-dose topical steroids. Cytotoxic therapy has no role in ED management and would be contraindicated in the patient with HIV.
Pearl Question 1 (T/F): A patient with reactive arthritis is likely to have had nongonococcal venereal disease or dysentery.
The correct answer is True: Nongonococcal venereal disease and infectious diarrhea precipitate reactive arthritis. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–B27 contributes to pathogenesis of disease.
Pearl Question 2 (T/F): Asymmetric oligoarthritis, genital ulceration or urethritis, and cervicitis within 1 month are the clinical points needed to make the diagnosis of Reiterlike spondyloarthropathy.
The correct answer is False: Asymmetric oligoarthritis, sausage-shaped fingers or toes, conjunctivitis or iritis, genital ulceration or urethritis, cervicitis, or acute diarrhea within 1 month are clinical points needed to make the diagnosis of Reiterlike spondyloarthropathy.
Pearl Question 3 (T/F): Canaliculitis and corneal ulcerations are eye manifestations of reactive arthritis.
The correct answer is False: Conjunctivitis and iritis are eye manifestations of reactive arthritis.
Pearl Question 4 (T/F): Many agents are likely to be cultured from joint fluid aspirated from a knee in a patient with suspected reactive arthritis.
The correct answer is False: No agents can be cultured from joint fluid aspirated from a knee in a patient with suspected reactive arthritis. Infectious antigens have been detected in synovium.
| BIBLIOGRAPHY | Section 11 of 11 |
| NOTE: |
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| Medicine is a constantly changing science and not all therapies are clearly established. New research changes drug and treatment therapies daily. The authors, editors, and publisher of this journal have used their best efforts to provide information that is up-to-date and accurate and is generally accepted within medical standards at the time of publication. However, as medical science is constantly changing and human error is always possible, the authors, editors, and publisher or any other party involved with the publication of this article do not warrant the information in this article is accurate or complete, nor are they responsible for omissions or errors in the article or for the results of using this information. The reader should confirm the information in this article from other sources prior to use. In particular, all drug doses, indications, and contraindications should be confirmed in the package insert. FULL DISCLAIMER |
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