Articular damage in adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common chronic rheumatic disease of unknown aetiology in childhood and predominantly presents with peripheral arthritis. The disease is divided into several subgroups, according to demographic characteristics, clinical features, treatment modalities and disease prognosis. Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which is one of the most frequent disease subtypes, is characterized by recurrent fever and rash. Oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, common among young female patients, is usually accompanied by anti-nuclear antibodie positivity and anterior uveitis. Seropositive polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, an analogue of adult rheumatoid arthritis, is seen in less than 10% of paediatric patients. Seronegative polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, an entity more specific for childhood, appears with widespread large- and small-joint involvement. Enthesitis-related arthritis is a separate disease subtype, characterized by enthesitis and asymmetric lower-extremity arthritis. This disease subtype represents the childhood form of adult spondyloarthropathies, with human leukocyte antigen-B27 positivity and uveitis but commonly without axial skeleton involvement. Juvenile psoriatic arthritis is characterized by a psoriatic rash, accompanied by arthritis, nail pitting and dactylitis. Disease complications can vary from growth retardation and osteoporosis secondary to treatment and disease activity, to life-threatening macrophage activation syndrome with multi-organ insufficiency. With the advent of new therapeutics over the past 15 years, there has been a marked improvement in juvenile idiopathic arthritis treatment and long-term outcome, without any sequelae. The treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients involves teamwork, including an experienced paediatric rheumatologist, an ophthalmologist, an orthopaedist, a paediatric psychiatrist and a physiotherapist. The primary goals of treatment are to eliminate active disease, to normalize joint function, to preserve normal growth and to prevent long-term joint damage. Timely and aggressive treatment is important to provide early disease control. The first-line treatment includes disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (methotrexate, sulphasalazine, leflunomide) in combination with corticosteroids, used in different dosages and routes (oral, intravenous, intra-articular). Intra-articular application of steroids seems to be an effective treatment modality, especially in monoarthritis. Biological agents should be added in the treatment of unresponsive patients. Anti-tumour necrosis factor agents (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab), anti-interleukin-1 agents (anakinra, canakinumab), anti- interleukin-6 agents (tocilizumab) and T-cell regulatory agents (abatacept) have been shown to be safe and effective in childhood patients. Recent studies reported sustained reduction in joint damage with even complete clinical improvement in paediatric patients, compared to previous data.

Association between juvenile idiopathic arthritis and osteogenesis imperfecta: case report

The authors report a rare association case of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) in a 53 years-old female patient, present a literature review and discuss the radiological aspects of the temporo-mandibular joint involvement. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of JIA an OI association.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic rheumatologic disease in childhood, which represents a nonhomogeneous group of disorders that share the clinical manifestation of arthritis lasting at least 6 wk under the age of 16. The exact diagnosis requires exclusion of other diseases that cause arthritis. The exact etiopathogenesis of JIA is still unknown. The interactions between genetic factors, environmental exposures and immune mechanisms are thought to contribute to pathogenesis of the disease. The “International League Against Rheumatism” classification divides JIA into 7 subtypes: oligoarticular JIA, rheumatoid factor (RF) positive polyarticular JIA, RF negative polyarticular JIA, systemic-onset JIA, enthesitis-related arthritis, juvenile psoriatic arthritis and undifferentiated JIA. Each subgroup of JIA is characterized by a different mode of presentation, disease course and outcome. The improvements in treatment of JIA in the last 2 decades, such as the early introduction of intraarticular corticosteroids, methotrexate and biologic agents, have dramatically upgraded the prognosis of the disease. If untreated, JIA may cause devastating results, such as disability from joint destruction, growth retardation, blindness from chronic iridocyclitis, and even multiple organ failure and death in systemic-onset JIA. The aim of treatment is the induction of remission and control the disease activity to minimize the pain and loss of function, and to maximize quality of life. JIA is a disease having a chronic course, which involves active and inactive cycles over the course of years. Recent studies showed that nearly half of the patients with JIA enter adulthood with their ongoing active disease. This review elucidates how recent advances have impacted diagnosis, pathogenesis and current treatment.

Radiological peripheral involvement in a cohort of patients with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis at adulthood

OBJECTIVE

Radiographic damage was recently identified as a feature of poor prognosis in polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA). However, most radiographic studies did not differentiate pJIA from other subtypes of JIA and little is known about pJIA persisting into adulthood. We describe radiological peripheral involvement in young adults with pJIA compared to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

All consecutive patients with pJIA followed in a transition program were included. Age, sex, disease duration, and medical or surgical treatment information was collected. Laboratory tests and standard radiographs of the hands and wrists, feet, and hips were analyzed by 2 independent radiologists blinded to the diagnosis. One RA control group (age < 55 yrs), matched for sex and disease duration, was recruited.

RESULTS

Forty-three patients with pJIA and 59 with RA were included. Radiographs showed hand lesions in 79% of pJIA and 86% of patients with RA, feet lesions in 74% of pJIA and 80% of patients with RA, and hip damage in 35% of pJIA and 17% of patients with RA (p = nonsignificant). Specific to the juvenile forms were lower frequency of proximal interphalangeal joint involvement (51% vs 76%; p = 0.03) and higher risk of bilateral hip damage (86% vs 25%; p < 0.01) than in adult RA.

CONCLUSION

Structural peripheral damage is as common and as severe in young adults with pJIA as in adults with RA. The main specific feature of pJIA seems to be a high risk of bilateral hip damage. This requires a particular monitoring of pJIA patients with unilateral hip involvement to detect bilateralization.

[Anesthesia and rheumatoid arthritis]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. It is known that RA patients have a reduced life expectancy when compared with the general population. Rheumatic diseases are numerous and occur with high variability; some of them develop very rapidly while others occur chronically provoking disability throughout life. Anesthetic risks in osteoarticular disorders involve not only the mechanical deformations caused by the disease, but also the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and digestive systems.

CONTENTS

The purpose of this review was to stress the importance of stages in disease process that may affect anesthesia control before, during, and after surgery, highlighting the authors' experience in a retrospective review of patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) undergoing placement of orthopedic prosthesis with emphasis on intubation techniques.

CONCLUSIONS

Rheumatoid arthritis patients can present a number of complex problems for the anesthesiologist. This requires careful preoperative evaluation; anesthesia requires experience with the technique; and postoperative care should be judiciously chosen to meet the specific needs of the patient. The procedure requires effective communication among surgeon, rheumatologist and anesthesiologist so each member of the multidisciplinary team can contribute with his/her expertise in order to better benefit the patient.

Theoretical and practical basis for early aggressive therapy in paediatric autoimmune disorders

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The clinical practice of introducing anti-inflammatory therapies in paediatric autoimmune disorders has changed substantially in the last two decades. This is partly due to the fact that we are able to put disease into remission with potent drugs, and so the issue of when to introduce these drugs is important. This review will seek to highlight the consequences of chronic inflammation and the change to outcomes if adequate or 'aggressive' treatment is given early to induce remission.

RECENT FINDINGS

The review not only highlights publications on this topic over the past 12-18 months but also refers to key publications before when appropriate. The disorders reviewed are juvenile idiopathic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis, Wegener's granulomatosis, juvenile dermatomyositis, juvenile scleroderma and autoinflammatory syndromes.

SUMMARY

Outcomes can be influenced by potent anti-inflammatory therapies. Their use early in the evolution of the disorder in question can limit damage and allow the possibility of normal life and function in the child.