Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis — current diagnostic and therapeutic management

Abstract

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a heterogeneous group of arthritis that has seven subtypes under the currently applicable ILAR classification. It is the most common arthropathy diagnosed in children, a chronic disease affecting children and adolescents. The systemic form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) is the most frequent subtype of the disease with a different aetiopathogenesis, broad clinical picture, various courses, burdened with numerous complications and requiring a therapeutic approach that is different than in other subtypes of JIA. In the case of SJIA, it is essential to establish the correct diagnosis as soon as possible and to initiate effective treatment and, if there is no effect after standard steroid therapy, use targeted anti-cytokine therapy. This review discusses current data on the aetiopathogenesis of the disease, clinical presentation and principles of diagnostic and therapeutic management.