Question

Reiter's disease commonly is diagnosed within this age range. a. \(<20\) b. \(20-40\) c. \(40-60\) d. \(>60\)

Short answer

Answer: 20-40 years old

Step-by-step solution

Identify the common age range for Reiter's Disease diagnosis.

Reiter's Disease, also known as reactive arthritis, commonly affects young adults. The age range for most diagnoses falls within the 20-40 years old.

Match the identified age range with the given options.

Looking at the options provided in the exercise, we can find that option (b) \(20-40\) aligns with the common age range for Reiter's Disease diagnosis. Therefore, the correct answer is (b) \(20-40\).

Key concepts

Reactive Arthritis

Reactive arthritis, previously known as Reiter's Disease, is a form of inflammatory arthritis that develops in response to an infection in another part of the body, often the urinary tract, genitals, or gastrointestinal system.

This condition is characterized by three main symptoms: arthritis, which is inflammation of the joints; conjunctivitis, which is inflammation of the lining of the eye; and urethritis, which is inflammation of the urethra. However, not all patients will have all three symptoms.

Reactive arthritis is considered an autoimmune condition, whereby the body's immune system mistakenly targets its own tissues after certain bacterial infections. Common bacteria associated with this condition include Chlamydia trachomatis and various gastrointestinal pathogens like Salmonella or Campylobacter.

Diagnosis is often based on clinical presentation, with doctors looking for a history of infection coupled with the characteristic symptoms. It may also involve tests to rule out other conditions, like blood tests, joint fluid analysis, and imaging studies.

Age Range for Reiter's Disease

The age range for Reiter's Disease, now more commonly referred to as reactive arthritis, is typically between 20-40 years old. This period can be classified as young adulthood, a timeframe when the body is generally more resilient against common diseases but may be vulnerable to autoimmune conditions like reactive arthritis.

It is essential to be conscious of this age range, especially for at-risk individuals who may have genetic predispositions or have been exposed to the infections that can trigger reactive arthritis. For instance, the HLA-B27 gene has been linked to a higher susceptibility to developing the condition.

Young adults who are sexually active or have had foodborne illnesses may need to be particularly vigilant. As with many medical conditions, early recognition and intervention can lead to better management and reduced long-term impact on health and mobility.

Common Diseases in Young Adults

Young adults, typically falling between the ages of 20 and 40, are susceptible to a variety of health conditions. While they are generally healthier than older adults, there are specific common diseases that tend to affect this demographic more prevalently.

Aside from reactive arthritis, other common diseases include mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and lifestyle-related diseases like type 2 diabetes and hypertension, often due to increased sedentary behavior and poor diet. In recent times, the prevalence of these non-communicable diseases has risen, owing to changes in lifestyle and socioeconomic factors.

Additionally, young adults are at risk for autoimmune diseases besides reactive arthritis, such as multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease. Immunizations, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and periodic health check-ups play a pivotal role in the prevention and early detection of these common conditions.