Reiter's syndrome

Definition:

A group of symptoms of unknown cause 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.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The exact cause of Reiter's syndrome is unknown. It occurs most commonly in men before the age of 40. It may follow a sexually transmitted or dysenteric infection with Chlamydia, Campylobacter, Salmonella, or Yersinia. There may be a genetic predisposition to the syndrome as evidenced by the increase in the prevalence of the HLA- B27 genetic marker in people affected with this disorder when compared to the general population.

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 a male; and possible genetic predisposition. The disorder is rare in younger children, but may start in adolescents.