Reactive arthritis (ReA) is a spondyloarthropathic disorder characterized by inflammation of the joints and
tissues occurring after gastrointestinal or genitourinary infections. Diagnostic criteria for ReA do not exist
and, therefore, it is subject to clinical opinion resulting in cases with a wide range of symptoms and definitions.
Using standardized diagnostic criteria, we conducted a systematic literature review to establish the
global incidence of ReA for each of the three most commonly-associated enteric pathogens:
Campylobacter
,
Salmonella
and
Shigella
. The weighted mean incidence of reactive arthritis was 9, 12, and 12 cases per 1,000
cases of
Campylobacter,
Salmonella and
Shigella infections respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first
systematic review of worldwide data that use well-defined criteria to characterize diarrhoea-associated ReA.
This information will aid in determining the burden of disease and act as a planning tool for public-health
programmes.
