Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the name given to a group of conditions characterized by joint inflammation or arthritis, occurring first before the age of 16.
Cause
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is an autoimmune group of diseases, caused by the production of autoantibodies or antibodies directed against the body’s own tissues rather than targeting foreign molecules or organisms. In this case, the antibodies bind with and injure the synovial membrane of the joints, leading to articular inflammation and injury.
Types
There are seven types of juvenile idiopathic arthritis as follows:
- Systemic JIA
- Oligoarticular (pauci-articular) JIA – the most common form in the USA
- Rheumatoid factor (RF)-positive polyarticular JIA
- Rheumatoid factor-negative polyarticular JIA
- Psoriatic JIA
- Enthesitis-related JIA
- Undifferentiated JIA
. The criteria for classification include:
- The number of joints affected
- Symptoms and signs
- Laboratory results
- Family history
Incidence
JIA is estimated to occur in 4 to 16 of every 100 000 children. Both genetic and environmental factors play a role in its causation. Certain gene loci have been identified that are linked to a higher risk for JIA, and are also associated with specific types of JIA. This is presumably by causing excessive production or release of inflammatory mediators and augmenting normal inflammatory reactions around the joint. Other genes have also been studied in relation to the occurrence of JIA.
Infection and other events that provoke inflammation are also thought to be connected with the risk of developing JIA.
Most cases of JIA have no family history, but siblings of affected individuals do have a 12-fold risk of developing the condition.
Diagnosis and management
JIA in children may lack obvious symptoms or signs, even joint swelling is often absent. Laboratory tests as for rheumatoid factor are usually negative in children. Thus the diagnosis needs to be made on clinical grounds.
Common manifestations include:
- Abnormal or limping gait
- Complaints of limb stiffness on waking
- Reduced use of one limb
- Lowered level of activity
- Constant or persistently recurring fever
- Swelling of the joints
- Inability to perform fine motor activities
The clinical features of this childhood condition are relatively non-specific, and therefore care is required to rule out other disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (‘lupus’), childhood malignancies or bone cancers before entertaining this diagnosis.
Uveitis or iridocyclitis are ocular manifestations of the condition, sometimes occurring without any signs or symptoms either in the body or in the eye.
A detailed physical examination is required to pick up associated findings such as hepatosplenomegaly. A nti-nuclear antibody (ANA), RF, HLA-B27 and a complete blood count with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are tests that are often ordered. Joint fluid may sometimes be tapped. Imaging of the joint structure and of the eye may be required.
Treatment aims include controlling the inflammation, preventing further joint damage and keeping the joint and the person functional.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most commonly used first-line agents. If the patient is slow to improve with their use, a second category of drugs is added. These are called the Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs). . Biologics also belong to this group, and include monoclonal antibodies against various components of the inflammatory reaction . Intra-articular steroid injections are used if only one joint is involved. Oral corticosteroid therapy is restricted in children because of the severe potential side-effects.
Exercise, an active lifestyle, and psychological support are also essential.
References
- American College of Rheumatology, Juvenile Arthritis
- NIHUS NationalLibraryof Medicine, JuvenileIdiopathic Arthritis
- https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000451.htm
Further Reading
- All Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Content
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
- Symptoms and Causes of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
- Outlook and Complications of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
Last Updated: Apr 3, 2019
Written by
Dr. Liji Thomas
Dr. Liji Thomas is an OB-GYN, who graduated from the Government Medical College, University of Calicut, Kerala, in 2001. Liji practiced as a full-time consultant in obstetrics/gynecology in a private hospital for a few years following her graduation. She has counseled hundreds of patients facing issues from pregnancy-related problems and infertility, and has been in charge of over 2,000 deliveries, striving always to achieve a normal delivery rather than operative.
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