Reiter’s syndrome

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Reiter's syndrome - view of the feet

Reiter's syndrome is a group of symptoms consisting of arthritis (inflammation of the joints), urethritis (inflammation of the urethra), conjunctivitis (inflammation of the lining of the eye), and lesions of the skin and mucous membranes. The cause is unknown.

Reactive arthritis

The exact cause of Reiter's syndrome is unknown. It occurs most commonly in men before the age of 40. It may follow an infection with Chlamydia, Campylobacter, Salmonella, or Yersinia. There may be a genetic predisposition to the syndrome.

The symptoms of urethritis usually appear within days or weeks of infection followed by a low-grade fever, conjunctivitis, and arthritis developing over the next several weeks. The arthritis may be mild or severe with involvement being asymmetric and in more than one joint.

The risk factors for the syndrome include infection with Chlamydia, Campylobacter, Salmonella, or Yersinia; being male; and possibly, genetic predisposition. The disorder is rare in younger children, but may occur in adolescents.

Review Date: 04/20/2005
Reviewed By: Stanford Peng, M.D., Ph.D., Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.