Reiter's Disease and Ankylosing Spondylitis

Abstract

Summary and Conclusions Follow-up information is presented for a series of 47 cases of Reiter's disease. During the acute episodes observed, pain consistent with sacroiliitis or spondylitis was present in 40 cases (85 %). Of 35 patients with radiographs 2 or more years after onset, 20 (57%) had definite bilateral sacro-iliac disease. Ankylosing spondylitis has been diagnosed in 12 patients, several of whom have followed a progressive course typical for that of severe ankylosing spondylitis. Rheumatoid arthritis has not been documented in our series. Our data and other accumulating evidence appear to link Reiter's disease closely with ankylosing spondylitis.