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.

[Evidence and consensus based treatment guidelines 2010 for juvenile idiopathic arthritis by the German Society of Paediatric Rheumatology].

Background: Treatment of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) has improved quality of life in children and adolescents with JIA. Standardisation of care offers the chance to improve the quality of care of those patients. New studies have been published after completion of our last treatment guideline (2007).

[Immunization in children and adolescents with rheumatic diseases].

Vaccinations represent a special problem in children and adolescents with inflammatory rheumatic diseases. There are very limited data on the safety and efficacy of vaccines in these patients, and guidelines for immunization are missing. The immunosuppressive therapy often necessary for these patients gives rise to additional uncertainty.

The prevalence of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies and autoimmune thyroiditis in children and adolescents in an iodine replete area.

Background: The iodine supply of the population in Berlin has normalized during the last 5 Years. Therefore autoimmune thyroiditis has become the most important differential diagnosis in children and adolescents with goiter.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to define the prevalence of anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and autoimmune thyroiditis in children and adolescents with a normalized iodine intake.