Advances in the medical treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Review uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) remains a challenge for clinicians. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids remain the mainstays of therapy, but concerns persist about side effects and the ability of these agents to prevent progression of bony disease. In recent years, novel treatments have been developed and quickly discarded because of unexpected toxicities or lack of efficacy. However, recent studies have shown that methotrexate and sulfasalazine are relatively safe and effective for JRA. Newly developed drugs, such as selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor, whose development has stemmed from a more basic understanding of pathophysiology, may provide better disease control with fewer side effects. Finally, novel therapies, such as stem cell transplantation, may offer hope for children with JRA, especially systemic-onset JRA, whose disease has been refractory to conventional therapy.

publication date

  • February 1, 2000

Research

keywords

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Arthritis, Juvenile
  • Methotrexate

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0033956055

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1097/00008480-200002000-00014

PubMed ID

  • 10676778

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 12

issue

  • 1