A case of Reiter's syndrome that was treated with etanercept

Hyun Seung Yoo,; Ji Hoon Jo,; Su ee Lee,; Jae Hoon Lee,; Chae Wook Lee,; Sung Won Lee,; Won Tae Chung,

Korean J Med > Volume 73(3); 2007 > Article

Original Article

The Korean Journal of Medicine 2007;73(3):1085-1089.

A case of Reiter's syndrome that was treated with etanercept

Hyun Seung Yoo, Ji Hoon Jo, Su ee Lee, Jae Hoon Lee, Chae Wook Lee, Sung Won Lee, Won Tae Chung

경희대학교 의과대학 순환기내과학교실

증례 : Etanercept로 치료한 Reiter 증후군 1예

유현승&#;조지훈&#;이수이&#;이재훈&#;이채욱&#;이성원&#;정원태, Ji Hoon Jo, Su ee Lee, Jae Hoon Lee, Chae Wook Lee, Sung Won Lee, Won Tae Chung

Abstract

Reiter's syndrome is the combination of three symptoms: an inflammatory arthritis of large joints, inflammation of the eyes (conjunctivitis and uveitis) and urethritis. NSAIDs, steroids, antibiotics and immunosuppressive agents are used for the treatment of the Reiter's syndrome. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), which has been linked to the immune system and inflammation, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). So, TNF- inhibitor is established as an important and effective therapy for both RA and AS to decrease joint pain and synovial inflammation. An elevated level of TNF-α has been identified in Reiter's syndrome. This finding has provided a rationale for use of TNF-α inhibitors in the treatment of Reiter's syndrome. We investigated a case of Reiter's syndrome in a 24-year-old male who has failed with receiving sulfasalazine, indomethacin and steroid. Yet after using a TNF-α inhibitor, the polyarthritis, urethritis and skin lesions improved. (Korean J Med 73:S1085-S1089, 2007)

Key Words: Reiter's syndrome, TNF-α inhibitor