The mnemonic 'can't see, can't pee, can't climb a tree' describes the triad of which syndrome?

The mnemonic 'can't see, can't pee, can't climb a tree' describes the triad of which syndrome?

• A. Reactive Arthritis
• B. Rheumatoid Arthritis
• C. Gout
• D. Ankylosing Spondylitis

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is a distinctive inflammatory syndrome that follows an infection and presents with a characteristic triad. The mnemonic maps directly to conjunctivitis (can't see), non-gonococcal urethritis (can't pee), and arthritis (can't climb a tree). This trio is the classic presentation of Reactive Arthritis, a sterile inflammatory arthritis that often follows gastrointestinal or genitourinary infections (commonly Chlamydia trachomatis or enteric bacteria). Rheumatoid arthritis typically shows a symmetric polyarthritis with morning stiffness and has different triggers. Gout causes acute monoarticular arthritis due to urate crystals. Ankylosing spondylitis mainly involves axial back pain and enthesitis, with potential eye inflammation but not the urethritis-arthritis-conjunctivitis triad that defines Reactive Arthritis.

The main idea here is a distinctive inflammatory syndrome that follows an infection and presents with a characteristic triad. The mnemonic maps directly to conjunctivitis (can't see), non-gonococcal urethritis (can't pee), and arthritis (can't climb a tree). This trio is the classic presentation of Reactive Arthritis, a sterile inflammatory arthritis that often follows gastrointestinal or genitourinary infections (commonly Chlamydia trachomatis or enteric bacteria).

Rheumatoid arthritis typically shows a symmetric polyarthritis with morning stiffness and has different triggers. Gout causes acute monoarticular arthritis due to urate crystals. Ankylosing spondylitis mainly involves axial back pain and enthesitis, with potential eye inflammation but not the urethritis-arthritis-conjunctivitis triad that defines Reactive Arthritis.