Enteropathic arthritis is peripheral joint or spine disease linked with inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. The exact cause of the condition is unknown.
The condition is often seen up to 10-20% of individuals with inflammatory bowel disease. It is prevalent among adolescents and young adults where both male and females are equally affected.
Indications
Arthritis generally arises after the bowel disease is well established. In rare occasions, the arthritis might start before inflammatory bowel disease is diagnosed.
There is pain and swelling in one or several joints. Generally, the arthritis arises in the joints in the lower extremities. The condition might strikingly resemble the activity of bowel disease. In some cases, the spine might be involved.
The HLA B27 gene is detected in around 50% of cases with spinal involvement. It is important to note that spondylitis is not likely to correlate with bowel disease activity. The individual might have other systemic symptoms such as eye or skin inflammation, fever and oral ulcers.
Enteropathic arthritis rarely results to destruction of the joint as well as deformity or evident disability.
Management of enteropathic arthritis
Just like with other spondyloarthropathies, the individual should undergo physical therapy and exercise. The treatment for bowel disease might help the peripheral joints but not the spine.
The removal of the colon in ulcerative colitis might cure the arthritis. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) might be given but there might be effects to the bowel.
Local injections of steroids into the affected joint can be beneficial. Oral steroids might be given in severe cases. As for resistant cases, medications that are normally given to treat rheumatoid arthritis can be used.