What Is JRA?

JRA or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a form of arthritis that usually causes joint problems in children younger than 16 years. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, considered an autoimmune disorder, can produce varying degrees of symptoms. Some children may outgrow the illness, while others may develop chronic arthritis that affects multiple joints. Because JRA can seriously limit the mobility of an affected joint, early detection and treatment are important to avoid joint damage or complications.

Characteristics

• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), also called juvenile idiopathic arthritis and juvenile chronic arthritis, can cause serious damage to joints, eyes and other organs. JRA is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks healthy tissues and cells because it erroneously identifies these as harmful substances like bacteria. In juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, a malfunctioning immune system can target the joint lining called the synovial membrane and may cause inflammation, stiffness, pain or damage in the affected joint. The cause of JRA is unknown; however, scientists believe that genetics and environment may play a role in triggering the autoimmune response of this disease.

Time Frame

• In general, JRA can affect children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years. Doctors can diagnose this condition when symptoms persist for 6 weeks or longer. In some children, the disease may disappear completely in a few weeks or months. However, other children may experience a more severe form of this disease, which can persist for months or years. To diagnosis JRA, doctors look at both the number of joints affected and the symptoms because different types of JRA are classified based on these factors. The three main types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis are oligoarticular JRA, polyarticular and systemic JRA.

Oligoarticular JRA

• Oligoarticular JRA, also called pauciarticular JRA, can affect four or fewer joints and presents symptoms, such as swelling, pain and stiffness. The joints usually affected are the larger joints like the wrists and knees. Oligoarticular JRA can also cause eye problems like iritis and uveitis. According to the Arthritis Foundation, there are also two sub-types of pauciarticular JRA. One type affects girls, while the second type affects boys (see link in Resources).

Polyarticular JRA

• Polyarticular JRA can involve pain or swelling in five or more joints. This type of JRA can involve hand and weight-bearing joints. Polyarticular JRA usually presents symptoms of symmetrical arthritis in which the same joints on both sides of the body are commonly affected. Some other possible symptoms of this type of JRA are low-grade fever, anemia, the presence of nodules and growth problems. Generally, it affects more girls than boys.

Systemic JRA

• This type of JRA, also called Still's disease, can affect joints, body parts and organs. In addition to the symptoms of joint pain and inflammation, systemic JRA may also presents signs that include high fevers, rashes, swollen lymph nodes, anemia and the inflammation of organs like the lungs. In some children with this condition, the fevers or rashes may disappear entirely after a few months. However, they may continue to have long-term joint problems. It can affect girls and boys equally.

Treatments

• There are various ways to treat this disease, which can depend on the type of JRA and its symptoms. Many times a combination of treatments is necessary. Medications like ibuprofen or naproxen, also called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, may be useful for pain. Other treatments can include the use of slow acting anti-inflammatory drugs, immune system medication, corticosteroids, physical therapy, exercise, splints, surgery, eye and dental care.
  Early detection and treatment of JRA can help to prevent major joint damage or eye problems in children with the more severe types of JRA.