Reactive arthritis

Some people experience unpleasant joint pain, itchy eyes and urinary discomfort after having overcome an infectious disease. The cause in such cases is often a so-called reactive arthritis. Affected persons are often significantly affected by the symptoms and often the symptoms go into a chronic state.

contents

• definition
• Symptoms of Reactive Arthritis
• causes
• therapy

definition

Reactive arthritis occurs after a previous infection and is associated with symptoms such as urethritis (urethritis), conjunctivitis, arthritis (usually large joints) and other inflammatory processes. Also skin changes can be present. The invading pathogens trigger an autoimmune reaction in the immune system that leads to inflammation in various parts of the organism - it is therefore an autoimmune disease.

The symptoms were originally named after their discoverer Hans Reiter (1881-1969) as Reiter's disease or Reiter's disease, because of its entanglements in the Third Reich, this designation is, however, today uncommon. Today's medical names are reactive arthritis, rheumatic fever, acute articular rheumatism, urothro-oculo-synovial syndrome, undifferentiated oligoarthritis, arthritis dysenterica or postenteritically reactive arthritis.

Sudden onset of inflammation in the large joints in combination with conjunctivitis and urinary symptoms are indicative of reactive arthritis. (Image: www.Fit-and-Fresh.com /pixelio.de)

Symptoms of Reactive Arthritis

Typical of the symptoms is a combination of urethritis (urethritis), conjunctivitis and arthritis, which usually affect large joints, such as the knee joint or ankle joints. This is also called a rider triad. Symptoms such as knee pain, ankle pain, itching of the eyes, eye pain, and painful urination are the result. Concomitant high fever and a changing localization of joint swelling are further signs of the disease. Also skin irritations may occur.

causes

Most affected are younger men and people with a special surface feature on the cells, which is called HLA-B 27. For example, after a disease of gonorrhea, chlamydia, scarlet fever or after gastrointestinal infections with bacteria such as Yersinia, Campylobacter, Salmonella and Shigella, those affected develop an autoimmune reaction, which leads to corresponding inflammations in various parts of the organism. This reaction can take up to three weeks after the initial infection and the original pathogens are no longer involved, but the immune system falsely shows an overreaction.

therapy

The treatment options for reactive arthritis are limited to alleviating the symptoms, with so-called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) often being used to treat joint problems, but it is also possible to use cortisone. In naturopathy, especially cold applications have proven against the joint pain. Here is the ice bath from the field of hydrotherapy to mention, in which the respective joints are held for about 30 seconds, but also extremely cold wrap can provide relief. However, hypertensive patients should be wary of the refrigeration applications and, if necessary, consult their physician first.

The bath in a bowl of ice water can be used against the joint pain, but this is not suitable for all patients and is only for symptom relief. (Image: akulamatiau / fotolia.com)

More than 50 percent of the patients are symptom free again after half a year at the latest. However, in almost one third of the cases, a chronic course of events develops which requires permanent medication. Also, complications or lasting damage can occur if structures adjacent to the joint or the eye are attacked or structurally altered. (Tf, fp)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)