Management of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis 2015: A Position Statement from the Pediatric Committee of the Canadian Rheumatology Association.

Abstract

The medical management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and its complications has undergone significant changes in the last decade, a result largely of the introduction of biologics and increased availability of expertise in the diagnosis and management of rheumatic diseases in children and adolescents. The result is that clinical outcome has improved and complete disease control can often be achieved1. In 2010, the British Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology (BSPAR) proposed guidelines for the optimal management of children and adolescents with JIA2. This advocacy statement emphasizes the importance of empowering children and their caregivers, facilitating early detection of JIA, prompt referral to a team of health professionals who are expert in the diagnosis and management of childhood rheumatic diseases, prompt access to all appropriate pharmacologic and biologic therapies, and regular followup and monitoring. The Canadian Wait Time Alliance sets acceptable wait times as 4 weeks in children with JIA, other than systemic onset JIA, and within 7 days of disease onset for children with systemic onset JIA. Screening for asymptomatic uveitis should take place within 4 weeks of the diagnosis of JIA3. Ideally, children and adolescents with JIA should be managed by a team of health professionals with training and experience in pediatric rheumatology given … Address correspondence to Dr. R.E. Petty, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, British Columbia’s Children’s Hospital, 4480 Oak St., Room K4-114, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3V4, Canada; E-mail: rpetty{at}cw.bc.ca