arthritis with fever

Last reviewed 01/2018

The differential diagnosis of arthritis with fever includes:

  • arthritis caused by infectious agents:
    • direct infection of joints
    • indirect arthritis:
      • acute rheumatic fever
      • reactive arthritis
      • hepatitis B

  • crystal arthritides:
    • gout
    • pseudogout

  • connective tissue disease:
    • systemic lupus erythematosus
    • mixed connective tissue disease
    • vasculitides
    • adult onset Still's disease
    • rheumatoid arthritis
    • polymyalgia rheumatica

  • sarcoidosis

  • arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease

  • haematological malignancy

  • Whipple's disease

  • familial Mediterranean fever

Reference:

  • Evans, RH et al. (1997). Pyrexia of unknown origin. (Grand Round). BMJ. 314, 583-6.