TORONTO -- A study published by the Cleveland Clinic and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) provides the medical community for the first time with specific guidelines for treating juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), previously known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), a condition that affects approximately one in every 1,000 children. This study is publishing in the October 4 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
JIA is characterized by the inflammation of joints. The onset of the condition typically occurs before the age of 16 and likely results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Although there is no cure for JIA, targeted treatment has been shown to improve symptoms significantly.
"It is important that parents and caregivers not assume that the symptoms of arthritis are simply growing pains," said Dr. Ronald Laxer, co-author of the study, vice president, Clinical and Academic Affairs and staff rheumatologist at SickKids and a professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto. "The most common form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis affects approximately one in a 1,000 Canadian children and if left untreated can result in significant developmental damage to the bones, joints and muscles."
The five most common types of JIA are oligoarthritis, which accounts for 50 per cent of cases and involves the swelling of less than five joints; polyarthritis, with swelling of more than five joints; systemic arthritis, characterized by high fevers and a rash with swelling of other organs in addition to joints; enthesitis-related arthritis, which may affect the spine and hips; and psoriatic arthritis, where children have psoriasis in addition to swollen joints.
Dr. Laxer and Dr. Philip D. Hashkes of the Cleveland Clinic examined more than 279 clinical studies undertaken between 1966 and 2005 to identify the most effective practices for treating the five most common typ
'"/>
Contact: Chelsea Gay, Public Affairs, Sick Kids Hospital
chelsea.gay@sickkids.ca
416-813-5045
University of Toronto
4-Oct-2005
Page: 1 2 Related medicine news :1.
Study, meta-analysis examine factors associated with death from heatstroke2.
Study says COPD testing is not measuring up3.
Study suggests loss of 2 types of neurons -- not just 1 -- triggers Parkinsons symptoms4.
Study reveals gaps in vaccine financing for underinsured children5.
Study suggests nonpharmaceutical interventions may be helpful in severe influenza outbreaks6.
Study shows radiofrequency ablation highly effective in treating kidney tumors7.
Study says normal but out-of-control enzyme may be culprit that signals some cells to become cancer8.
Study finds HIV protease inhibitor drugs may adversely affect the scaffolding of the cell nucleus9.
Study outlines how stroke, head injury can increase risk of Alzheimers disease10.
Study identifies new regulator of fat metabolism11.
Study shows Diachrome improves blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes