"Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), formerly known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), is the most common chronic rheumatic disease of childhood, affecting approximately 3.8 to 400 out of 100,000 children."
A type of arthritis affecting children under the age of 16.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA): An overview of the disease, including its causes, types, symptoms, and available treatments.
Anatomy and physiology of the joints: An understanding of how the joints and bones function and what happens when the immune system attacks them.
Inflammatory response: The role of the immune system in causing inflammation, including the chemicals involved in the process and the effects they have on the body.
Immunology: The study of the immune system and how it can be manipulated to control inflammation and prevent further damage.
Genetics: The role of specific genes and genetic variants in increasing the risk of developing JIA.
Environmental factors: The impact of environmental factors like infections or pollutants on JIA development.
Diagnosis: The methods used by doctors to diagnose JIA, including laboratory tests and imaging studies.
Disease management: The various treatments and lifestyle modifications recommended to manage the symptoms of JIA and prevent long-term damage.
Patient education: The importance of educating patients and their families about the disease, available treatments, and strategies for managing symptoms and preventing complications.
Exercise and physical activity: The role of exercise in maintaining joint health and preventing muscle weakness and disability.
Nutrition: The impact of nutrition on overall health and its potential role in modulating inflammation and preventing complications.
Mental health: The impact of JIA on mental health and strategies for managing stress, anxiety, and depression.
Long-term outcomes: The potential long-term outcomes of JIA and the importance of monitoring the disease to prevent complications.
Oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (oJIA): This is the most common type of JIA and typically affects fewer than five joints in the body. It often affects the knees, ankles, and wrists.
Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA): This type affects five or more joints in the body and can be further divided into rheumatoid factor-positive and -negative subtypes. It often affects the same joints on both sides of the body and can also cause inflammation in the eyes and other organs.
Psoriatic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (PsJIA): This type is associated with psoriasis, a skin condition that causes scaly patches on the skin. It often affects the fingers and toes, causing swelling and stiffness.
Enthesitis-related juvenile idiopathic arthritis (ERJIA): This type affects the areas where tendons and ligaments attach to the bones, particularly in the lower limbs. It is also associated with inflammation in the eyes and intestines.
Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA): This type affects the entire body, including the joints, and can cause fever, rash, and inflammation in the organs. It is also called Still's disease in adults.
Undifferentiated juvenile idiopathic arthritis (uJIA): This is a category used when the symptoms of JIA do not fit into any of the above categories, or if it is too early to make a specific diagnosis.
"Juvenile, in this context, refers to disease onset before 16 years of age."
"Idiopathic refers to a condition with no defined cause."
"It is characterized by chronic joint inflammation."
"JIA is a subset of childhood arthritis, but unlike other, more transient forms of childhood arthritis, JIA persists for at least six weeks, and in some children is a lifelong condition."
"It differs significantly from forms of arthritis commonly seen in adults (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis), in terms of cause, disease associations, and prognosis."
"The cause of JIA remains poorly understood."
"Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), formerly known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), is the most common chronic rheumatic disease of childhood."
"The prognosis for children with JIA has improved dramatically over recent decades, particularly with the introduction of biological therapies and a shift towards more aggressive treatment strategies."
"JIA treatment aims for normal physical and psychosocial functioning."
"The introduction of biological therapies... has improved the prognosis for children with JIA."
"In some children, JIA is a lifelong condition."
"JIA... differs significantly from more transient forms of childhood arthritis."
"JIA is an autoimmune, noninfective, inflammatory joint disease."
"Juvenile, in this context, refers to disease onset before 16 years of age."
"Idiopathic refers to a condition with no defined cause."
"It is characterized by chronic joint inflammation."
"JIA treatment aims for normal physical and psychosocial functioning."
"It differs significantly from forms of arthritis commonly seen in adults (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis), in terms of cause, disease associations, and prognosis."
"The prognosis for children with JIA has improved dramatically over recent decades."