Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGPClinical Lead • iatroX
Educating patients about reactive arthritis triggers and long-term management:
- Explain potential triggers: Inform patients that reactive arthritis often follows gastrointestinal or genitourinary infections, but long-term antibiotic treatment is not recommended solely to manage reactive arthritis after these infections NICE NG65.
- Discuss symptom recognition and flare management: Advise patients to recognize symptoms such as joint pain, swelling, and extra-articular manifestations like uveitis, which may require urgent medical attention NICE NG65,NICE CKS.
- Promote non-pharmacological strategies: Encourage referral to specialist physiotherapy for individualized exercise programs including stretching, strengthening, postural exercises, and aerobic activity to maintain function and manage pain NICE NG65. Hydrotherapy may be considered as an adjunct NICE NG65.
- Inform about pharmacological treatments: Explain that NSAIDs are commonly used at the lowest effective dose for symptom relief, and corticosteroid injections or short-term oral steroids may be used if NSAIDs are insufficient NICE NG65,NICE CKS. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) may be initiated and monitored by specialists NICE NG65,NICE CKS.
- Highlight the importance of coordinated care: Emphasize ongoing communication between primary and secondary care for medication management, monitoring side effects, and managing comorbidities NICE CKS.
- Provide information on self-care and support: Encourage self-management strategies such as joint protection, pain and fatigue management, and accessing local support groups and charities (e.g., National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society, Versus Arthritis) NICE CKS.
- Discuss long-term monitoring: Inform patients about the need for regular follow-up to assess disease activity, treatment response, and screening for complications such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular risk factors NICE CKS.