Reactive Arthritis: Features

Key points

• Reactive arthritis is one of the HLA-B27 associated seronegative spondyloarthropathies
• It encompasses what was previously called Reiter's syndrome — the classic triad of urethritis, conjunctivitis and arthritis — typically following a dysenteric or sexually transmitted infection
• Arthritis typically develops within 4 weeks of the triggering infection and tends to affect lower limb joints in an asymmetrical pattern
• Other features can include circinate balanitis and keratoderma blennorrhagica
• Symptoms generally resolve within 12 months, though some patients go on to develop chronic reactive arthritis