Final answer:
Reactive Arthritis, formerly known as Reiter's Syndrome, typically impacts males around 20-30 years of age and is associated with urethritis, conjunctivitis, and arthritis, often following a Chlamydia infection. It should be distinguished from Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease more common in older and post-menopausal women. Diagnosis of Reactive Arthritis includes HLA B27 positivity, elevated ESR, and a positive Chlamydia culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reiter's Syndrome, now more commonly referred to as Reactive Arthritis, is a medical condition traditionally characterized by the triad of urethritis, conjunctivitis, and arthritis. It typically affects males in their twenties to early thirties and is often associated with the presence of the HLA-B27 antigen. Moreover, it can be precipitated by an infection, such as Chlamydia, which is notable for its presentation of symptoms that can include urethritis in men and pelvic inflammatory disease in women. The classic phrase 'can't see, can't pee, can't dance with me, can't climb a tree' relates to the symptoms of decreased vision from conjunctivitis, urinary symptoms from urethritis, joint pain precluding dancing, and difficulty in physical activity such as climbing due to arthritis.
Key diagnostic tests include laboratory findings such as positive HLA B27, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and a positive Chlamydia culture. Imaging may reveal characteristic findings such as calcaneal spurs and non-marginal syndesmophytes. It is worth noting that chronic infectious arthritis accounts for 5% of all arthritis cases and people at risk include those with other medical conditions such as HIV infection or rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Rheumatoid arthritis is another significant autoimmune disorder, primarily affecting synovial joints and commonly diagnosed via symptoms, radiographic imaging, and blood tests identifying rheumatoid factor (RF) and other markers of inflammation. Unlike Reactive Arthritis, the onset of RA is generally between the ages of 40 to 50 and it is more common in females, particularly post-menopausal women.