Treatments for childhood arthritis have strong levels of success today

Modern treatments for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) deliver positive outcomes, according to a large study from Canada published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
Data was assessed from 1,104 children diagnosed with JIA from 2005 to 2010. Results showed:

• Over 78% of the children were able to attain a state where none of their joints were affected by active disease within two years
• 70% achieved complete disease inactivity
• The probability of remission within five years was 46%–57%
• The likelihood of discontinuing treatment at least once within five years was 67%

Today’s methods of treating JIA are therefore largely successful but cases of polyarthritis are harder to treat.
“Most children with JIA managed with contemporary treatments attain inactive disease within two years of diagnosis and many are able to discontinue treatment,” says the research team. “The probability of attaining remission within five years of diagnosis is about 50%, except for children with polyarthritis.”
A spokesperson from Arthritis Research UK comments:
“With this age group it is important to consider the long-term effect of treatments as they may be taking them for a long time, so the fact that this study suggests that many patients are able to discontinue treatment within two years is excellent news.
“This provides those living with JIA have an opportunity to look forwards to the future – a future without pain, which is something we strive to achieve.”