Artritis idiopática juvenil

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic disease defined by the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) criteria as arthritis in one or more joints that begins before the 16th birthday, persists for at least 6 weeks, and excludes all other known conditions. It is the most common rheumatic disease in children and one of the more common chronic illnesses of childhood. The etiology and pathogenesis of JIA is not completely understood, but substantial evidence suggests that the pathogenesis is autoimmune. Outcome studies have underlined the importance of early diagnosis and early aggressive treatment in improving prognosis. Despite this situation, many children with JIA continue to have persistently active arthritis into adulthood. The modern treatment of JIA involves a range of specialists. In recent years, new biologic medications have added significantly to the management of children with JIA.