Abstract
Background There is a risk of developing serious complications of varicella zoster infection (VZI) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients receiving disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) including methotrexate and biologic agents [1,2]. Varicella zoster (VZ) immune status should therefore be checked in all children before starting such therapy. Seronegative children mostly receive varicella zoster vaccine (VZV). Vaccination may prevent worried parents and reduce the need for VZ immunoglobulin, intravenous acyclovir treatment and hospitalization.
Highlights
There is a risk of developing serious complications of varicella zoster infection (VZI) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients receiving disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) including methotrexate and biologic agents [1,2]
We investigated retrospectively the patientscharts for Varicella zoster (VZ) serological status, the response rate to VV, the incidence and treatment of VZI
Of the total study group of 150 patients, 71 patients were treated with DMARD
Summary
There is a risk of developing serious complications of varicella zoster infection (VZI) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients receiving disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) including methotrexate and biologic agents [1,2]. Aim We wanted to investigate the VZ immunity and response to VV in patients with JIA treated with DMARD in Northern Norway. Methods All patients with a new diagnosis of JIA between 19972010 treated with DMARD in two counties of Northern Norway were included. The patients were identified using a prospectively collected study database.
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