A chronic form of inflammatory arthritis wherein the following three conditions are combined: (1) arthritis; (2) inflammation of the eyes (conjunctivitis); and (3) inflammation of the genital, urinary or gastrointestinal systems.
Reiter syndrome is a systemic rheumatic disease, meaning that it can and does affect organs as well as the joints. It can cause inflammation in many areas, including the eyes, mouth, lungs, kidneys, heart, and skin.
The first symptoms of reactive arthritis are painful urination and a discharge from the penis if there is inflammation of the urethra. Diarrhea may occur if the intestines are affected. This is then followed by arthritis four to 28 days later that usually affects the fingers, toes, ankles, hips, and knee joints. Typically, only one or a few of these joints may be affected at one time. Other symptoms include:
- Mouth ulcers
- Inflammation of the eye
- Keratoderma blennorrhagica (patches of scaly skin on the palms, soles, trunk or scalp)
- Back pain from sacroiliac (SI) joint involvement
- Pain from inflammation of the ligaments and tendons at the sites of their insertion into the bone (enthesitis)