Juvenile Idiopathic Artrithis (JIA)

Question 1

What is JIA?

Answer 1

Occurs in people younger than 16 years.

Arhritis of one or more joints

Symptoms of at least 6 weeks

• an onset type after 6 month of observation
• • pauciarticular
• • polyarticular
• • systemic

Question 2

Epidemiology of JIA?

Answer 2

• Rare before age of 6 months
• Peak age normally from 1 to 3 years
• New cases throughout childhood

Question 3

Signs and symptoms of JIA?

Answer 3

• Begins with synovial inflammation
• Morning stiffness but may present as increased irritability, guarding of affected joints or refusal to walk
• Fatigue, low grade fever, anorexia, weight loss and failure to grow
• Serositis, red eyes

Question 4

Diagnosis

Answer 4

• History and examination
• Blood tests e.g Rheumatoid factor
• X-rays and MRI

Question 5

Management

Answer 5

• Goals: Achieve remission, minimize medication toxicity, maximize function, optimize growth and development and improve quality of life.

Drug therapy : NSAIDs, Immune modulatory and biologics