Epidemiology

The incidence of ReA varies among epidemiologic studies. Multiple factors are thought to contribute to this disparity, including the differences in genetic makeup (such as prevalence of HLA-B27) and environmental factors (such as varying infection rates of causative organisms). The lack of specific diagnostic criteria also limits the accurate estimate of prevalence.[2][3]

ReA occurs mainly in adults.[4][5] The prevalence is thought to be 30 to 40 cases per 100,000 adults, with an annual incidence of 4.6 per 100,000 for Chlamydia-induced arthritis and 5 per 100,000 for enterobacteria-induced arthritis.[6][7] The attack rate of ReA after a C trachomatis infection ranges from about 4% to 8%,[8][9] and that of postdysentery ReA ranges from 1.5% to about 30%.[10][11] One study found that the arthritis persisted at 2 years in nearly half (47%) of affected patients.[12]

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