Side Effects of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

Individuals with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis may have more to be concerned about than swollen joints. Some side effects can signal more serious problems and other diseases commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, there are side effects caused by the medications that must be taken to keep the disease in check.

The Facts

• According to the Arthritis Foundation, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common childhood diseases. It affects approximately 294,000 children under the age of 18 in the United States alone. There is no known cause or cure for this autoimmune disease.

Types

• There are three distinct types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. They are:
  *Pauciarticular -- fewer than four joints affected.
  *Polyarticular -- more than four joints are affected.
  *Systemic Onset -- inflamed joints are accompanied by a rash and high fever.
  It may be difficult to diagnose juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at the onset. Children are prone to injuries, such as a twisted ankle or a sore hand from playing. However, children who have this disease will have painful and swollen joints that don't go away. Other symptoms include being tired and stiff muscles in the morning, every day.

Side Effects

• Children diagnosed with the disease will experience different side effects. No one case is identical to another. The following are the most common side effects of this disease:
  *Eye inflammation -- also known as uveitis. Frequent eye examinations are required.
  *Stomach pain and bleeding -- often caused by taking non-steroidal drugs and ibuprofen to control pain and inflammation.
  *Kidney and liver problems -- blood-screening tests will be conducted frequently to detect problems early. These problems are common in children who have systemic onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
  *Depression -- children who suffer from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis have to undergo enormous changes in their lifestyle. Sadness and depression are a common side effect.
  *Pericardial disease -- weakening of the heart muscles can occur in some patients. This is more common in children with systemic onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
  *Systemic Lupus Erythematosus -- some patients may develop additional connective tissue diseases, such as lupus.

Prevention/Solution

• It is still unknown what causes juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. According to the Arthritis Foundation, vitamin deficiencies, foods, allergies and toxins play no role in causing the disease.

Theories/Speculation

• According to the American College of Rheumatology the immune system gene HLA-DR4 exists in patients who have rheumatoid arthritis. Approximately 30 percent of the population carries this gene. However, not everyone with this gene develops rheumatoid arthritis. What exactly triggers the disease remains unknown.