Yersinia-related arthritis in the United Kingdom. A report of 12 cases and review of the literature.

Reactive arthritis following infection with Yersinia is endemic in Scandinavian countries; the prevalence is low in the UK, however. We have reviewed the literature pertaining to Yersinia-related reactive arthritis in the UK and describe 12 patients who presented over a 3-year period with an asymmetrical seronegative polyarthropathy and serological evidence of recent Yersinia infection. Five patients recalled having a diarrhoeal illness prior to the onset of the arthropathy. None had a prior history of psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease or ankylosing spondylitis. A history of urethral discharge was elicited from one patient. Extra-articular manifestations were seen in three patients (iritis in two, erythema nodosum in another). Four patients developed chronic joint disease after periods of 4, 6, 8, and 18 months, respectively. The prevalence of Yersinia-related arthritis in the UK may be higher than previously thought.