Reumatizam, Vol. 63 No. suppl.1, 2016.
Review article
JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS
Lana Tambić Bukovac
Marija Perica
Abstract
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic disorder in children and one of the
most common causes of part-time or long-term disability. Th e term juvenile idiopathic arthritis defi nes the main characteristics
of the disease: joint infl ammation of unknown origin manifested before the 16th birthday and lasting for more
than six weeks. JIA is very rare in infancy, with highest frequency in preschool age. It is not a single disease, but a group
of disorders with some common features of diff erent immunopathogenesis and with diff erent clinical manifestations. According
to the revised International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) criteria, JIA is classifi ed into 8
subtypes, but this classifi cation is still a “work in progress“ because with new knowledge gained in genetics and immunology,
the classifi cation will obviously have to be changed and refi ned. New research of the disease pathogenesis is the basis
for the development of new and better treatments for JIA. Th e goal of such treatments is not just to relieve pain, but also
to control infl ammation and stop irreversible joint damage and long-term disability. Biological agents have signifi cantly
improved the disease prognosis.
Keywords
Arthritis, juvenile – classifi cation, diagnosis, drug therapy, genetics, immunolog; antirheumatic agents – therapeutic use; Adrenal cortex hormones – therapeutic use; Biological products – therapeutic use
Hrčak ID:
182838
URI
Publication date:
19.10.2016.
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