When should the use of biological agents be considered in persistent oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients?

Abstract

JADAS10 indicating ongoing severe disease activity at 3rd and 6th months rather than baseline JADAS10 is associated with the addition of bDMARDs. • Oligoarticular JIA patients have the best outcomes among JIA categories and respond favorably to first-line therapies such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and intraarticular corticosteroid injections. • Clinically inactive disease rates have increased with the widespread use of biological agents in oligoarticular JIA patients who have not responded to initial therapies. • Approximately one-fifth of patients with persistent oligoarticular JIA on methotrexate may require the addition of a biological disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug during follow-up. • The JADAS10 calculated at 3 and 6months is a valuable tool to identify patients who should be added biological disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in persistent oligoarticular JIA.