juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis



Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune-induced disease that causes inflammation and joint stiffness in children up to 16 years. Depending on the number of joints involved in this inflammatory process, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is distinguished in pauciarticular, polyarticular and systemic.
Types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Pauciarticular arthritis indicates that the joints affected are at most four; It is the most common type of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and usually affects large joints such as knees. This type of disease can cause eye diseases and the presence of ANA antibodies in the blood. Frequent visits to the eye doctor will help to avoid serious problems in the eyes, such as the inflammation of the iris or the uvea.

Polyarticular arthritis, on the other hand, indicates that more than 4 joints have been affected, most commonly hands and feet, but others may also be affected. Polyarticular arthritis is often symmetrical, ie it affects the even joints (hands, feet, knees, etc.). It is easy to find IgM rheumatoid factor antibodies in the blood of people with this type of disease.

Systemic arthritis is characterized not only by swelling and inflammation of the joints, but also by fever and rash. This type of disease also involves internal organs, such as the spleen, the liver, the heart, the lymph nodes. Only a small percentage of these children, however, develop arthritis in many joints and may be subject to severe arthritis during adulthood.

The substantial difference between rheumatoid arthritis in adults and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis lies in the fact that while children suffering from the latter often outweigh the disease, adults instead have symptoms that last for life. In fact, according to some studies, the symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis disappear in more than half of the young people affected, however, unlike rheumatoid arthritis in adults, they can affect the normal development of bones and the growth of small patients.
Symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Symptoms typical of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis are a persistent joint swelling, pain, movement limitation and stiffness, especially in the morning. The most affected joints are the knees, hands and feet. Eye inflammation can be considered another sign of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and can be complicated if not followed and treated appropriately.

As a consequence, the physical appearance of young patients can also be altered: since this disease essentially limits the growth and development of bones, patients may be smaller than normal or may present, for example, a longer leg 'else.
Diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

First of all, the doctor will take into consideration, for a diagnosis, the symptoms that have appeared for more than six weeks: swelling, rash, fever, inflammation of internal organs. The laboratory tests themselves are not a test to diagnose, but only to classify the type of rheumatoid arthritis that has affected the child. The most common tests are the one looking for ANA antibodies, rheumatoid factor and erythrocyte sedimentation factor. Radiography is only necessary if the doctor suspects bone or cartilage damage or abnormal bone development.
Treatment and therapy of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

The aim of the therapy is to preserve the physical and social functioning of the patient at the highest level possible, therefore anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics will be prescribed. NSAIDs are the most used drugs, although many doctors avoid prescription because of the side effects these drugs cause. Other drugs often administered are corticosteroids, mainly used in children with a very severe degree of the disease.