Chapter 4

What Is the Prognosis for People Who Have Reactive Arthritis?

Typically, symptoms last for 3-5 months, and most resolve by a year. However, 15-20% may involve a more chronic persistent arthritis, with joint damage and deformity in some. Those who are HLA-B27 positive are more likely to have a worse course, as are those who have hip involvement, those who do not respond to NSAIDs, and those who have elevated inflammatory markers (i.e., ESR greater than 30).