The Prognosis for Reactive Arthritis
Reactive arthritis is usually caused by an infection, often in the urogenital or intestinal tract. It is a form of arthritis that causes inflammation in the body, and its symptoms can range from mild to severe.
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Symptoms
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The three most common symptoms of reactive arthritis are inflammation in the joints, eyes (conjunctivitis) and urinary tract (urethritis, prostatitis). The severity of the symptoms can affect the prognosis.
Diagnosis
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There is not one test to diagnose reactive arthritis. The inflammation can be explained by many different conditions, especially since it does not always present in all three areas of the body.
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Treatment
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Inflammatory medications (NSAIDs, corticosteroids) are given to patients to improve the prognosis of reactive arthritis. If infection is still present, antibiotics are necessary to cure it.
Long Term Prognosis
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The long-term prognosis for reactive arthritis is very good. Symptoms usually disappear in three months to one year and rarely cause permanent damage.
Considerations
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Reactive arthritis is often caused by chlamydia (a disease transmitted through sexual contact) or a bacteria in the digestive tract. It is most common in Caucasian men between the ages of 20 and 40.
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