Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (polyarticular JIA) is a type of childhood arthritis that affects five or more joints during the first six months of the disease. It is sometimes called polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or polyarticular-onset JIA. This condition causes the immune system to mistakenly attack the lining of the joints, leading to inflammation, pain, swelling, and stiffness. It most commonly affects the small joints of the hands and feet, but can also involve the knees, hips, ankles, wrists, and neck. There are two subtypes of polyarticular JIA: rheumatoid factor (RF) positive and RF negative. The RF-positive form behaves more like adult rheumatoid arthritis and tends to be more aggressive. The RF-negative form is more common and may have a more variable course. Children with this condition may experience morning stiffness, fatigue, reduced appetite, and difficulty with everyday activities like writing, walking, or dressing. Treatment has improved significantly over the past two decades. The goal is to control inflammation, prevent joint damage, and help children live active lives. Treatment typically includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like methotrexate, and biologic therapies such as etanercept, adalimumab, abatacept, and tocilizumab. With early and aggressive treatment, many children achieve remission or significant improvement in their symptoms.

Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.

Bring these to your next appointment

• Q1.Is my child's polyarticular JIA rheumatoid factor positive or negative, and what does that mean for the long-term outlook?,What treatment plan do you recommend, and what are the potential side effects of these medications?,How often does my child need eye exams to check for uveitis?,What signs should I watch for that would indicate a disease flare or a medication side effect?,Are there any activities my child should avoid, or can they participate in sports and physical education?,What is the likelihood that my child will achieve remission, and could they eventually stop taking medications?,How will this condition be managed as my child grows into a teenager and young adult?

Common questions about Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Related conditions

Other rare diseases commonly researched alongside Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

• Enthesitis-related juvenile idiopathic arthritis→
• Oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis→