Evolution over thirty years of the profile of inpatients with reactive arthritis in a tertiary rheumatology unit

Reactive arthritis (ReA) is sterile arthritis occurring after extra articular bacterial infection. The aim of this study was to analyze, over 30 years, clinical, biological and imaging characteristics as well as therapeutic management of new cases of ReA, comparing two periods.

Methods

retrospective monocentric study, data of all the patients followed in our unit between January 1st 1984 and April 2014 with the diagnosis or ReA were analyzed (clinical and biological features, management and outcome), and compared between two periods: from January 1984 to December 1993, and from January 2004 to December 2013.

Results

Sixty two patients fulfilling international diagnosis criteria were analyzed. There was no significant difference between the two periods in number of new cases, clinical presentation, biological data or outcome. Changes in therapeutic management were obvious with occurrence of anti TNF in the recent period.

Conclusion

Reactive arthritis is still a current rheumatologic problem in a developed country, with a need of early and tailored rheumatologic management.