The cause of reactive arthritis is still unknown, but research suggests the disease is caused, in part, by a genetic predisposition: Approximately 75% of those with the condition have a positive blood test for the genetic marker HLA-B27. In sexually active males, most cases of reactive arthritis follow infection with Chlamydia trachomatis or Ureaplasma urealyticum, bothsexually transmitted diseases. In other cases, people develop the symptoms following an intestinal infection with shigella, salmonella, yersinia, or campylobacter bacteria. Besides using condoms during sexual activity, there is no known preventative measure for reactive arthritis.

Our TCM clinical practice has showed that integration of Chinese medicine and western medicine is a very good choice for this disease. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, there are some patterns of syndrome that lead to Reiter Syndrome.
1. Deficiency of liver Yin
2. Deficiency of heart Yang
3. Hyper-activity of the liver
4. Stagnation of Qi and blood