Anticitrullinated protein antibodies and radiological progression in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate whether determination of anticitrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) provides predictive information on severity of disease course and joint destruction in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Methods: Sera from 74 children with JIA were examined for ACPA using the ELISA test. To assess joint destruction, plain radiographs of both hands were scored twice according to the Steinbrocker scale: at the beginning of observation and after 8.

Relationship between impaired apoptosis of lymphocytes and distribution of dendritic cells in peripheral blood and synovial fluid of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Introduction: The pathogenesis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is not fully understood. Recently the present authors described disturbed apoptosis of JIA lymphocytes in both peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) as well as an abnormal distribution of blood dendritic cells (BDCs) between the PB and SF in this disease. Possible relationships between these events during the development of JIA process are assessed here.

[Diagnostic value of thermography and endothelin concentration in serum of children with Raynaud's Syndrome].

Objective: The primary Raynaud's Syndrome may occur in pubescent children, the secondary is connected with connective tissue diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of thermography and endothelin concentration in patients with Raynaud's Syndrome (RS).

Material And Methods: 49 patients aged 11 to 18 years with clinical symptoms of RS and 12 healthy children participated in the study.