Post-streptococcal reactive arthritis versus acute rheumatic fever

Abstract EN

Background : A migrating polyarthritis after throat infection with group A ˟-hemolytic streptococci is classically attributed to acute rheumatic fever (ARF).

Sterile non-migratory arthritis may occur as a separate entity, the so called post-streptococcal reactive arthritis (PSRA).

Objective : to identify clinical and serological differences of reactive arthritis patients after infection with Lancefield group A ˟-hemolytic streptococci, as compared with acute rheumatic fever.

Methodology : the study was conducted of 120 patients who were recruited for the study.

They were equally divided into two groups according to the diagnosis of ARF or PSRA.

They were consecutively seen in the Rheumatology & Rehabilitation and the Pediatric wards.

Clinical and laboratory data were assessed through a questionnaire.

The diagnosis of rheumatic fever was made based on the revised modified Jones' criteria, while the diagnosis of post-streptococcal reactive arthritis was made based on Dighton criteria; these associated with laboratory data, electrocardiography, and chest X-rays and bi-dimensional echocardiography.

Results : there was no significant difference between both groups as regard age where p > 0.05, while there was a significant difference regarding the date of antecedent upper respiratory tract infection (p < 0.05).

Clinical assessment showed that the duration of disease and Enteritis, joint tenderness & joint swelling counts have a highly significant difference (p < 0.01).

As regard to the response to aspirin, indomethacin and steroid there were significant differences between both groups (p < 0.05).

Also, as regard the laboratory assessment ESR, CRP, ASOT, the differences between both group were highly significant for ESR, ASOT (p < 0.01) and significant for CRP (p < 0.05).

No significant difference was found between both groups regarding specific laboratory assessment (Anti deoxyribonucleic-B titer or anti-Hyaluronidase) (p > 0.05).

Regarding the cardio logical changes P-R interval on ECG was prolonged in 19 patients 31.67 % and Echo study showed changes in 12 patients, 20 % of cases of ARF patients only.

Also there were no chest or CNS changes either in ARF or PSRA patients, so, chest X-ray changes showed no significant differences p>0.01.

Conclusion : post-streptococcal reactive arthritis and acute rheumatic fever are actually having different presentations and managements.