SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED ARTHRITIS SYNDROMES

Arthritis and other rheumatic lesions may complicate a wide variety of sexually transmitted diseases. In addition to septic lesions associated with dissemminated gonococcal infection, apparently sterile arthritis may complicate or be the presenting feature of nongonococcal genital infection, syphilis, or hepatitis B. Rheumatic lesions, including arthritis and a sicca syndrome, have also been linked recently to human immunodeficiency virus infection. Physicians dealing with sexually transmitted diseases should routinely inquire about rheumatic symptoms, and rheumatologists and orthopedists must retain a high index of suspicion for inapparent sexually transmitted infection.