Juvenile idiopathic arthritis – a new outlook
ABSTRACT
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common paediatric rheumatic disease, and can cause long-term joint damage or vision loss due to uncontrolled inflammatory uveitis. The outcomes for patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis have significantly improved recently with advances in pharmacotherapy.
KEY POINTS
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) affects one to four in 1000 Australian children.
Careful history and thorough clinical examination are essential in detecting and confirming arthritis.
There is no diagnostic marker or antibody test for JIA; it is a diagnosis of exclusion.
Early referral of the patient to a paediatric rheumatologist will facilitate early effective treatment.
Biologic agents are increasingly used for children with JIA, with an excellent safety and efficacy profile.
