Arthritis and the gut.

The term "enteropathic arthritis" describes joint manifestations that occur in conjunction with gastrointestinal disease. Underlying causes include inflammatory bowel disease, reactive arthritis, iatrogenic disease. Whipple's disease, and other gastrointestinal diseases. A possible association between Reiter's syndrome and human immunodeficiency virus infection also has been reported. These arthritic syndromes can be treated symptomatically, but long-term therapy should be directed at the underlying cause. In most cases, prognosis for survival and joint function is good.