Reactive arthritis following COVID-19, its management strategies Ft Dr (Prof) Raju Vaishya

We all are aware that immune-mediated conditions associated with COVID-19 have been reported, including vasculitis, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, myositis, and lupus. Emerging studies have reported the potential occurrence of reactive arthritis in patients previously infected with COVID-19.

A systematic review in Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research summarized the current evidence on the occurrence of reactive arthritis in patients previously infected by COVID-19.

This study was conducted according to the 2020 PRISMA guidelines. The data on COVID-19 severity and management were retrieved such as type of treatment, hospitalization regimes (inpatient or outpatient), admission to the intensive care unit, need of mechanical ventilation, pharmacological management. The following data on reactive arthritis were collected: time elapsed between COVID-19 infection to the onset of reactive arthritis symptoms (days), pharmacological management, type of arthritis (mono- or bilateral, mono- or polyarticular), extra-articular manifestations, presence of tenosynovitis or enthesitis, synovial examination at microscopic polarised light, imaging , clinical examination, laboratory findings.

Data from 54 patients were retrieved out of which 54% were women. The mean time span between COVID-19 infection and the occurrence of reactive arthritis symptoms was around 22 days. Symptoms resolved within few days in all studies considered. At last follow-up, all patients were minimally symptomatic or asymptomatic, and no additional therapy or attentions were required by any patient.

In today’s video, we discuss about this research with Dr. (Prof) Raju Vaishya who is a renowned Orthopedics and joint replacement surgeon with 35 years experience. Dr. Vaishya is currently a Senior consultant at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi.

Reference:

Migliorini, F., Bell, A., Vaishya, R. et al. Reactive arthritis following COVID-19 current evidence, diagnosis, and management strategies. J Orthop Surg Res 18, 205 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-023-03651-6.