Education and employment in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis - a standardized comparison to the German general population.

Background: Although several studies show that JIA-patients have significantly lower employment rates than the general population, the research on educational and occupational attainments in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) remain conflicting most likely due to small sample sizes. Therefore, aim of this study is to compare the educational achievements and employment status of 3698 JIA-patients with the German general population (GGP).

Methods: "SEPIA" was a large cross-sectional study on the current status of a historic cohort of JIA-patients treated in a single center between 1952 and 2010.

Incidence of malignancies in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: A retrospective single-center cohort study in Germany.

Objectives: In recent years, concern has been raised about Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) that it could be associated with an increased risk for malignancies. Therefore, the cancer incidence in the JIA patients was evaluated and compared to the cancer incidence in the German population.

Methods: A retrospective single-center hospital-based cohort study was performed using data on the JIA patients treated between 1952 and 2010 at the German Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology (GCPAR) (Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany).

Long-Term Health-Related Quality of Life in German Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in Comparison to German General Population.

Objective: Aims of the study were to investigate health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adult patients with former diagnosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), to compare their HRQOL with the general population and to identify factors related to a poor outcome.

Methods: In 2012, a cross-sectional survey was performed by mailing a questionnaire to a large cohort of former and current patients of the German Centre for Rheumatology in Children and Adolescents. Only adult patients (≥18 years) with a diagnosis compatible with JIA were included (n = 2592; response 66%).

Association between drug intake and incidence of malignancies in patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: a nested case-control study.

Background: Several medications for treatment of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) are considered to be carcinogenic. Therefore, the aim was to assess whether there is an association between therapeutic interventions and malignancies in JIA patients.

Findings: A nested case-control study was carried out within a retrospective cohort study of 3698 JIA patients diagnosed between 1952 and 2010.

Evidence and consensus based GKJR guidelines for the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic disease in children and adolescents. Immunomodulatory drugs are used frequently in its treatment. Using the nominal group technique (NGT) and Delphi method, we created a multidisciplinary, evidence- and consensus-based treatment guideline for JIA based on a systematic literature analysis and three consensus conferences.

Exposure to animals and risk of oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a multicenter case-control study.

Background: An inverse association between early contact with microbial compounds and respiratory allergies is well established. The protective effect of infant contact with animals was also shown for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We aimed to test the association between animal contact in infancy and oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (OA JIA).

Dynamics of body composition and bone in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis treated with growth hormone.

Introduction: GH has a positive impact on growth, bone, and muscle development. The objectives of this study were to demonstrate the effects of GH treatment on regional body composition and bone geometry at final height in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Patients And Methods: In this longitudinal study, parameters of bone mineral density and geometry as well as muscle and fat cross-sectional area (CSA) in the nondominant forearm were recorded using peripheral quantitative computed tomography at yearly intervals until final height in 12 patients (seven females) receiving GH treatment.

Macrophage activation syndrome in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus: a multinational multicenter study of thirty-eight patients.

Objective: To describe the clinical and laboratory features of macrophage activation syndrome as a complication of juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Cases of juvenile SLE-associated macrophage activation syndrome were provided by investigators belonging to 3 pediatric rheumatology networks or were found in the literature. Patients who had evidence of macrophage hemophagocytosis on bone marrow aspiration were considered to have definite macrophage activation syndrome, and those who did not have such evidence were considered to have probable macrophage activation syndrome.

Lysosomal storage diseases as differential diagnoses to rheumatic disorders.

Purpose Of Review: To describe the latest findings on lysosomal storage diseases relevant to rheumatologists, including literature findings on the natural history, clinical features, diagnostic measures, and treatment.

Recent Findings: Many relevant investigations are based on large lysosomal storage disease registries. The steadily growing number of patients has resulted in an increasingly accurate description of the natural history of the diseases and permits the investigation of special problems, including monitoring the long-term safety and effectiveness of treatment.

Growth hormone increases final height in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: data from a randomized controlled study.

Background: GH treatment stimulates growth in short children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The extent to which this therapy increases final height is not known.

Methods: Thirty-one growth-retarded children with systemic and polyarticular idiopathic arthritis were enrolled in this controlled study.

Sonographic investigation of the temporomandibular joint in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a pilot study.

Objective: To evaluate whether there are any correlations between the clinical parameters of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis and pathologic ultrasound (US) findings of the TMJ in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Methods: We conducted prospective clinical and US investigations of the TMJs of 48 patients with JIA. The US investigation was performed by a 12-MHz high-resolution transducer, which was positioned parallel to the ramus of the mandible overlying the zygomatic arch in a closed-mouth position and maximum open-mouth position.

Adalimumab in the therapy of uveitis in childhood.

Purpose: Chronic anterior uveitis in children often takes a serious course. Despite various immunosuppressive drugs some children do not respond sufficiently and there is a high risk of them becoming seriously disabled. Anti-TNF alpha therapy has been shown by our group and others to be mostly ineffective (Etanercept) or partly effective (Infliximab) with the risk of anaphylactic reactions.

Evidence-based use of methotrexate in children with rheumatic diseases: a consensus statement of the Working Groups Pediatric Rheumatology Germany (AGKJR) and Pediatric Rheumatology Austria.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common diagnosis in children and adolescents with rheumatic disorders. In many children and adolescents, JIA is successfully treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and physiotherapy. However, in a significant number of cases the disease is resistant to this therapy, and treatment with "second line" disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) is required.