Guidelines for Juvenile Arthritis
Reported October 5, 2005

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- For the first time, specific guidelines for treating juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), previously known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), have been established. A recent study published by researchers from the Cleveland Clinic and The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, outlines acceptable treatments for the condition.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is characterized by the inflammation of joints. The condition affects about one in every 1,000 children. The onset of the condition typically occurs before age 16 and likely results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. While there is no cure researchers say the establishment of these guidelines targets the treatment and helps improve symptoms significantly.

Ronald Laxer, M.D., co-author of the study, and colleagues, examined more than 279 clinical studies conducted between 1966 and 2005. Each study was examined for the most effective treatments for the five most common types of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

"The guidelines in the study summarize the current evidence-based medical practices for JIA and provide physicians with a rational approach for treating the various subtypes of the disease. By examining a patient's symptoms, physicians can determine the type of arthritis they have and what approach is most appropriate for treating their condition," says Philip D. Hashkes, M.D., the study's principle investigator and a rheumatologist and immunologist in the Cleveland Clinic's Department of Rheumatic Diseases.

A previous misconception with the condition was that JIA would usually resolve by adulthood, however, research proves this is not true. According to the study, a new guideline prevents this by conducting poor outcome predictors and determining a patient's early aggressive therapy. Researchers also emphasize, while treatments have been established the treatment plan needs to be individualized based on the JIA subtype.