Types of arthritis Oligoarticular JIAThis is the most common type of JIA and affects four or fewer joints. Symptoms are swollen, painful joints, particularly the knees and/or ankles. Eye inflammation is common and specialist eye checks are needed. Many children with oligoarthritis improve after some time, but if a few joints remain swollen, the disease is termed persistent oligoarthritis. If the disease worsens, and more joints become involved, it is called extended oligoarthritis. It tends to affect girls more commonly than boys. Polyarticular JIAThis is when 5 or more joints are affected in the first 6 months of the illness. As well as pain and stiffness in joints other symptoms include tiredness and eye inflammation. Systemic onset JIAThis is a rare type of arthritis in which joint pain is accompanied by general illness. It begins with symptoms such as fever, rashes, lethargy (tiredness) and swelling of the lymph glands in the neck, underarm and groin. Early signs are often mistaken for an infection. Rarely, the lining of the heart (pericarditis) or lungs (pleuritis) may become inflamed. Enthesitis related arthritisThis occurs due to inflammation of tendons or ligaments where they attach to bone. The condition may also cause painful areas in the soles of the feet or other areas around the knees or hips. Stiffness and pain in the spine are uncommon in childhood, but can persist into adulthood (known as ankylosing spondylitis in adults-see entry). Psoriatic Arthritis (see entry Psoriatic Arthritis in Children). What are the causes? An alteration of the immune system causes it to target the lining of the joint, known as the synovium, resulting in inflammation. When the inflammation persists, joint damage may occur. It is not known what makes the immune system act in this way. How is it treated? Each child will have an individual care plan devised for them. In cases where other organs or systems are involved, such as the eyes, the appropriate specialist will need to be involved (eg ophthalmologist to assess eye inflammation). Drug treatment Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – eg ibuprofen(Nurofen) or diclofenac (Voltarol). These can reduce fever, pain andinflammation. Steroid injections – these can be given into joints and work by ‘dampening’ down the immune system and reducing the inflammation within the joint. Steroids can also be taken by mouth or injected into a muscle or vein.Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) – such as methotrexate. This type of medication can be taken as a pill or as an injection and works by suppressing the disease process.Biologic agents − a biologic agent copies the effects of substances naturally made by your body’s immune system. They work by interfering with biologic substances that cause or worsen inflammation, thus reducing symptoms of JIA. Non-drug treatment Physiotherapy to improve mobility in painful joints as well as regular exercise will be an essential part of treatment for a child with arthritis. Occupational therapy may be needed to make sure the living environment and necessary aids and adaptations are in place for a child with reduced mobility, or for specialist hand therapy. Inheritance patterns and prenatal diagnosis Inheritance patternsIt is very rare to have more than one child with arthritis in a family, but there are some genetic factors passed on through the generations that may make it more likely that a child will develop arthritis. Prenatal diagnosisNone. Is there support? Arthritis Care Helpline: 0808 800 4050Email: [email protected]Website: arthritiscare.org.ukThe Source Helpline: 0808 808 2000Email: [email protected] Arthritis Care is a Registered Charity in England and Wales No. 206563, and in Scotland No. SC038693. It provides information and support to people living with arthritis in the UK via its helpline and publications. Arthritis Care also runs The Source which offers support to young people and the parents and families of children with arthritis Group details last updated July 2015. Children’s Chronic Arthritis Association Tel: 01242 511250Email: [email protected]Website: ccaa.org.uk The Association is a Registered Charity in England and Wales No. 1004200. It offers information and support for children with arthritis, their families and professionals involved in their care. The Association organises an annual family support weekend, and provides support through area family contacts. Group details last updated October 2019. Juvenile Arthritis Research (JAR) Email: [email protected]Website: www.jarproject.orgJuvenile Arthritis Research is a Registered Charity in England and Wales No. 1091620. Their vision is a world where no child has to suffer from arthritis, and they undertake research, raise awareness of the condition, and provide support. They offer free support packs to children and young people with JIA and their families anywhere in the UK, as well as online information and support resources and networks. More information from www.jarproject.org/hopeGroup details added August 2022. JIA-at-NRAS Tel: 0845 458 3969Email: [email protected]Website: jia.org.uk JIA-at-NRAS is a service provided by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society. They provide information and support, including a helpline and a wide range of publications, for families, children and young people affected by Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis . Group details added January 2017.
Types of arthritis Oligoarticular JIAThis is the most common type of JIA and affects four or fewer joints. Symptoms are swollen, painful joints, particularly the knees and/or ankles. Eye inflammation is common and specialist eye checks are needed. Many children with oligoarthritis improve after some time, but if a few joints remain swollen, the disease is termed persistent oligoarthritis. If the disease worsens, and more joints become involved, it is called extended oligoarthritis. It tends to affect girls more commonly than boys. Polyarticular JIAThis is when 5 or more joints are affected in the first 6 months of the illness. As well as pain and stiffness in joints other symptoms include tiredness and eye inflammation. Systemic onset JIAThis is a rare type of arthritis in which joint pain is accompanied by general illness. It begins with symptoms such as fever, rashes, lethargy (tiredness) and swelling of the lymph glands in the neck, underarm and groin. Early signs are often mistaken for an infection. Rarely, the lining of the heart (pericarditis) or lungs (pleuritis) may become inflamed. Enthesitis related arthritisThis occurs due to inflammation of tendons or ligaments where they attach to bone. The condition may also cause painful areas in the soles of the feet or other areas around the knees or hips. Stiffness and pain in the spine are uncommon in childhood, but can persist into adulthood (known as ankylosing spondylitis in adults-see entry). Psoriatic Arthritis (see entry Psoriatic Arthritis in Children).
What are the causes? An alteration of the immune system causes it to target the lining of the joint, known as the synovium, resulting in inflammation. When the inflammation persists, joint damage may occur. It is not known what makes the immune system act in this way.
How is it treated? Each child will have an individual care plan devised for them. In cases where other organs or systems are involved, such as the eyes, the appropriate specialist will need to be involved (eg ophthalmologist to assess eye inflammation). Drug treatment Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – eg ibuprofen(Nurofen) or diclofenac (Voltarol). These can reduce fever, pain andinflammation. Steroid injections – these can be given into joints and work by ‘dampening’ down the immune system and reducing the inflammation within the joint. Steroids can also be taken by mouth or injected into a muscle or vein.Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) – such as methotrexate. This type of medication can be taken as a pill or as an injection and works by suppressing the disease process.Biologic agents − a biologic agent copies the effects of substances naturally made by your body’s immune system. They work by interfering with biologic substances that cause or worsen inflammation, thus reducing symptoms of JIA. Non-drug treatment Physiotherapy to improve mobility in painful joints as well as regular exercise will be an essential part of treatment for a child with arthritis. Occupational therapy may be needed to make sure the living environment and necessary aids and adaptations are in place for a child with reduced mobility, or for specialist hand therapy.
Inheritance patterns and prenatal diagnosis Inheritance patternsIt is very rare to have more than one child with arthritis in a family, but there are some genetic factors passed on through the generations that may make it more likely that a child will develop arthritis. Prenatal diagnosisNone.
Is there support? Arthritis Care Helpline: 0808 800 4050Email: [email protected]Website: arthritiscare.org.ukThe Source Helpline: 0808 808 2000Email: [email protected] Arthritis Care is a Registered Charity in England and Wales No. 206563, and in Scotland No. SC038693. It provides information and support to people living with arthritis in the UK via its helpline and publications. Arthritis Care also runs The Source which offers support to young people and the parents and families of children with arthritis Group details last updated July 2015. Children’s Chronic Arthritis Association Tel: 01242 511250Email: [email protected]Website: ccaa.org.uk The Association is a Registered Charity in England and Wales No. 1004200. It offers information and support for children with arthritis, their families and professionals involved in their care. The Association organises an annual family support weekend, and provides support through area family contacts. Group details last updated October 2019. Juvenile Arthritis Research (JAR) Email: [email protected]Website: www.jarproject.orgJuvenile Arthritis Research is a Registered Charity in England and Wales No. 1091620. Their vision is a world where no child has to suffer from arthritis, and they undertake research, raise awareness of the condition, and provide support. They offer free support packs to children and young people with JIA and their families anywhere in the UK, as well as online information and support resources and networks. More information from www.jarproject.org/hopeGroup details added August 2022. JIA-at-NRAS Tel: 0845 458 3969Email: [email protected]Website: jia.org.uk JIA-at-NRAS is a service provided by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society. They provide information and support, including a helpline and a wide range of publications, for families, children and young people affected by Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis . Group details added January 2017.