[Reactive arthritis]

ABSTRACT

Study the frequency of the reactive arthritis, and specify its clinico-biological and therapeutic characteristics with a review of the literature. We conducted a retrospective study including 22 cases of reactive arthritis. All patients had a clinical exam and serology of the germs accused according to clinical data. Urethral prelevement and coprocultures were carried out in the event of sign of orientation. Eighteen men and four women were included, whose mean age was 34 +/- 11, 79 years. The mean duration of reactive arthritis was of 7,95 +/- 5,89 years with a diagnostic delay of 0,79 +/- 1,55 years. Origin of infection was identified in 12 cases [genital in 10 cases and digestive in two cases]. The clinical presentation was as follows monoarthritis in six cases, oligoarthritis in 11 cases, polyarthritis in four cases. The heel pain was present in six cases, and the ocular manifestation in form of iritis was noted in four cases. Serology of Chlamydia was positive in 16 cases. Genital taking had isolated a Chlamydia and a mycoplasma in two cases. The corproculture had isolated a shigella in two cases. The treatment comprised anti-inflammatory drugs in 22 cases, antibiotics in 18 cases and intra-articular steroids in 10 cases. Evolution to ankylosing spondylitis was notes in 12 cases [10 men and 2 women]. Reactive arthritis with Chlamydia seems more frequent at the men. The evolution is often towards to ankylosing spondylitis. A prospective study on a large scale could be able to confirm these data