Background Reactive arthritis (ReA) are sterile arthritis occurring after extra articular bacterial infection, mainly located in gut or genito urethral mucosa

Objectives The aim of this study was to analyze, over 30 years, frequency as well as clinico-biological and therapeutic characteristics of ReA, comparing two periods.

Methods In this retrospective monocentric study, the charts of all the patients followed in our unit between January 1st 1984 and April 2014 with the diagnosis or ReA, according to International Classification Criteria (1), were recorded and clinic biological features, management and outcome were analyzed, and compared between two periods: from January 1984 to December 1993, and from January 2004 to December 2013.

Results 62 patients fulfilling international diagnosis criteria were analyzed. We found no significant differences (Table) between the two periods in incidence of new cases, clinical presentation (rheumatologic and extra articular features), biological and microbiological data or outcome. Change in therapeutic management was obvious with occurrence of anti TNF use in the recent period.

Conclusions Reactive arthritis is still a current rheumatologic problem, with an apparently stable incidence in a developed country, with a need of early and tailored rheumatologic management.

1. Kingsley G, Sieper J. Third International Workshop on Reactive Arthritis. 23–26 September 1995, Berlin, Germany. Report and abstracts. Ann Rheum Dis. 1996;55:564–84.

Disclosure of Interest None declared