Positive family history of psoriasis does not affect the clinical expression and course of juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients with oligoarthritis

Conventional radiography in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Joint recommendations from the French societies for rheumatology, radiology and paediatric rheumatology

BACKGROUND

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) can cause structural damage. However, data on conventional radiography (CR) in JIA are scant.

OBJECTIVE

To provide pragmatic guidelines on CR in each non-systemic JIA subtype.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary task force of 16 French experts (rheumatologists, paediatricians, radiologists and one patient representative) formulated research questions on CR assessments in each non-systemic JIA subtype. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify studies providing detailed information on structural joint damage. Recommendations, based on the evidence found, were evaluated using two Delphi rounds and a review by an independent committee.

RESULTS

74 original articles were included. The task force developed four principles and 31 recommendations with grades ranging from B to D. The experts felt strongly that patients should be selected for CR based on the risk of structural damage, with routine CR of the hands and feet in rheumatoid factor-positive polyarticular JIA but not in oligoarticular non-extensive JIA.

CONCLUSION

These first pragmatic recommendations on CR in JIA rely chiefly on expert opinion, given the dearth of scientific evidence. CR deserves to be viewed as a valuable tool in many situations in patients with JIA.

KEY POINTS

• CR is a valuable imaging technique in selected indications. • CR is routinely recommended for peripheral joints, when damage risk is high. • CR is recommended according to the damage risk, depending on JIA subtype. • CR is not the first-line technique for imaging of the axial skeleton.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Diagnosis and Treatment

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a broad term that describes a clinically heterogeneous group of arthritides of unknown cause, which begin before 16 years of age. This term encompasses several disease categories, each of which has distinct presentation, clinical manifestations, and, presumably, genetic background and etiopathogenesis. Although none of the available drugs has curative potential, prognosis has greatly improved as a result of substantial progresses in disease management. The most important new development has been the introduction of the biologic medications, which constitute a valuable treatment option for patients who are resistant to conventional antirheumatic agents. Further insights into the disease pathogenesis and treatment will be provided by the continuous advances in understanding of the mechanisms related to the immune response and inflammatory process, and by the development of new drugs that are capable of selectively inhibiting single molecules or pathways.

Enthesitis as a component of dactylitis in psoriatic juvenile idiopathic arthritis: histology of an established clinical entity

CONTEXT

Imaging of dactylitis in adult psoriatic arthritis suggests a pathophysiological role for enthesitis. However, histological definition of the dactylitic digit is unavailable.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the role of enthesitis in dactylitis associated with psoriatic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (psJIA) in a child who underwent detailed imaging and histologic evaluation.

DESIGN

Radiographs, ultrasound and high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging were employed to define the locus of disease in two dactylitic digits from a 14-year-old girl with psJIA. Biopsies were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, CD3, CD20, CD4, CD8 and CD117 and examined via light microscopy.

RESULTS

Radiologic features of dactylitis included enhanced signal at digital entheses without accompanying synovitis or tenosynovitis. Histologically, finger and toe tissue exhibited hypervascular tenosynovium with a fibromyxoid expansion of fibrous tissue. This was accompanied by sparse to moderate perivascular lymphocytic inflammation consisting predominantly of T cells, with occasional admixed B cells and mast cells. Neutrophils and plasma cells were absent. Fibrocartilage exhibited reactive features including increased extracellular myxoid matrix, binucleation, and focal necrosis, without cellular inflammation. Fibrinous synovitis and mild reactive synoviocyte hyperplasia were seen.

CONCLUSIONS

Dactylitis in psJIA bears a radiographic resemblance to the condition in adult psoriatic arthritis. Histologic hallmarks include an expanded mast cell-populated extracellular myxoid matrix, cartilage degeneration, and a T cell-rich perivascular inflammatory infiltrate. These findings help to define enthesitis as a clinicopathologic entity.

Oligoarticular and polyarticular JIA: epidemiology and pathogenesis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) refers to a group of chronic childhood arthropathies of unknown etiology, currently classified into subtypes primarily on the basis of clinical features. Research has focused on the hypothesis that these subtypes arise through distinct etiologic pathways. In this Review, we discuss four subtypes of JIA: persistent oligoarticular, extended oligoarticular, rheumatoid-factor-positive polyarticular and rheumatoid-factor-negative polyarticular. These subtypes differ in prevalence between ethnic groups and are associated with different HLA alleles. Non-HLA genetic risk factors have also been identified, some of which reveal further molecular differences between these subtypes, while others suggest mechanistic overlap. Investigations of immunophenotypes also provide insights into subtype differences: adaptive immunity seems to have a prominent role in both polyarticular and oligoarticular JIA, and the more-limited arthritis observed in persistent oligoarticular JIA as compared with extended oligoarticular JIA may reflect more-potent immunoregulatory T-cell activity in the former. Tumor necrosis factor seems to be a key mediator of both polyarticular and oligoarticular JIA, especially in the extended oligoarticular subtype, although elevated levels of other cytokines are also observed. Limited data on monocytes, dendritic cells, B cells, natural killer T cells and neutrophils suggest that the contributions of these cells differ across subtypes of JIA. Within each subtype, however, common pathways seem to drive joint damage.

Network in pediatric rheumatology: the example of the Pediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organization

BACKGROUND

Pediatric rheumatic diseases (PRDs) are rare conditions associated with significant sequelae affecting the quality of life and long-term outcome. The research aimed at studying new therapeutic approaches is difficult because of logistic, methodological and ethical problems.

DATA SOURCES

To address these problems, two international networks, the Pediatric Rheumatology Collaborative Study Group (PRCSG) and the Pediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organization (PRINTO) were established. The two networks share the goal to promote, facilitate and conduct high quality research for PRDs.

RESULTS

The PRINTO and PRCSG networks have standardized the evaluation of response to therapy in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus, and juvenile dermatomyositis, drafted clinical remission criteria in JIA, and provided cross-cultural adapted and validated quality of life instruments including the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire and the Child Health Questionnaire into 32 different languages. In this paper we reviewed how the networks of the PRINTO and PRCSG have created the basic premises for the best future assessment of PRDs.

CONCLUSIONS

The PRINTO and PRCSG networks can be regarded as a model for international cooperation or collaboration in other pediatric subspecialties.

Classification criteria in rheumatic diseases: a review of methodologic properties

OBJECTIVE

To identify classification criteria for the rheumatic diseases and to evaluate their measurement properties and methodologic rigor using current measurement standards.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of published literature and evaluated criteria sets for stated purpose, derivation and validation sample characteristics, methods of criteria generation and reduction, and consideration of validity, and reliability.

RESULTS

We identified 47 classification criteria sets encompassing 13 conditions. Approximately 50% of the criteria sets were developed based on expert opinion rather than patient data. Of the 47 criteria sets, control samples were derived from patients with rheumatic disease in 15 (32%) sets, from patients with nonrheumatic diseases in 4 (9%) sets, and from healthy participants in 2 (4%) sets. Where patient data were used, the number of cases ranged from 20-588 and the number of controls from 50-787. In only 1 (2%) criteria set was there a distinct separation between investigators who derived the criteria set and clinicians who provided cases and controls. Authors commented on the need for individual criterion to be reliable in 5 (11%) sets, precise in 5 (11%) sets; authors noted the importance of content validity in 12 (26%) sets, and construct validity in 12 (26%) sets.

CONCLUSION

The variation in methodologic rigor used in sample selection affects the validity and reliability of the criteria sets in different clinical and research settings. Despite potential deficiencies in the methods used for some criteria development, the sensitivity and specificity of many criteria sets is moderate to strong.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a broad term that describes a clinically heterogeneous group of arthritides of unknown cause, which begin before 16 years of age. This term encompasses several disease categories, each of which has distinct methods of presentation, clinical signs, and symptoms, and, in some cases, genetic background. The cause of disease is still poorly understood but seems to be related to both genetic and environmental factors, which result in the heterogeneity of the illness. Although none of the available drugs has a curative potential, prognosis has greatly improved as a result of substantial progresses in disease management. The most important new development has been the introduction of drugs such as anticytokine agents, which constitute a valuable treatment option for patients who are resistant to conventional antirheumatic agents. Further insights into the disease pathogenesis and treatment will be provided by the continuous advances in understanding of the mechanisms connected to the immune response and inflammatory process, and by the development of new drugs that are able to inhibit selectively single molecules or pathways.

Incidence and outcomes of uveitis in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, a synthesis of the literature

BACKGROUND

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is the most common systemic cause of pediatric uveitis in Europe and North America. Uveitis is commonly perceived as a frequent sequela of JRA and JRA-associated uveitis is commonly considered to have a complicated course with frequent adverse visual outcomes.

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature search for series of consecutive patients with JRA (as defined by the American College of Rheumatology criteria) reporting on the frequency of uveitis and/or complications of uveitis, published between January 1980 and December 2004. The main outcome measures were: the cumulative incidence of uveitis in JRA, the cumulative incidence of adverse visual outcome and that of complications in JRA-associated uveitis. Additionally, the influence of gender, presence of antinuclear antibody (ANA) and disease onset subtype to the likelihood of developing uveitis were examined.

RESULTS

Analysis of pooled data from the 26 eligible series suggested a cumulative incidence of uveitis in JRA of 8.3% [95% confidence intervals (CI), 7.5-9.1%]. The cumulative incidence of uveitis varied according to geographic location, being highest in Scandinavia, then the US, then Asia and lowest in India. JRA-associated uveitis was more common in pauciarticular than polyarticular onset patients [odds ratio (OR) = 3.2, 95% CI, 2.33-4.36] and in ANA-positive than ANA-negative patients (OR = 3.18, 95% CI, 2.22-4.54). Female gender was only a weak risk factor for the development of uveitis in JRA patients (OR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.09-2.62) and was not statistically significant after considering disease onset subtypes. In JRA-associated uveitis the cumulative incidence of cumulative incidence of adverse outcome (visual acuity < 20/40 OU) was 9.2% (95% CI: 4.7-15.8) of cataracts 20.5% (95% CI: 15.5-26.3), of glaucoma 18.9% (95% CI: 14.4-24.2) and of band keratopathy 15.7% (95% CI: 10.9-21.7).

CONCLUSION

The cumulative incidence of uveitis in JRA varies according to geographic location, presence of ANA, type of JRA onset and gender. Uveitis, adverse visual outcome, and complications in JRA are less frequent than commonly accepted.

Ocular manifestations of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in Olmsted County, Minnesota: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is the most common systemic cause of uveitis in Europe and North America. The cumulative incidence of uveitis in JRA has been reported at between 8.5% and 25% in series from referral centers in the USA. There have been no population-based studies of the cumulative incidence of uveitis in JRA in the USA.

METHODS

We performed a population-based, retrospective cohort study of patients residing in Olmsted County, Minnesota between 1 January 1960 and 31 December 2000 who met American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria for JRA. The patients were identified using the Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP), a surveillance and medical records-linkage system which provides access to medical records of residents of Olmsted County. Patient histories were reviewed and information regarding rheumatic and ocular disease was extracted and analyzed. The main outcome measures were: cumulative incidence of uveitis, of complications of uveitis, of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) and of adverse visual outcome.

RESULTS

Of the 88 patients identified, three patients developed uncomplicated uveitis [3.4%; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.7-9.6%), all with pauciarticular onset JRA. Two patients developed KCS (2.3%; 95% CI 0.3-8.0%). The visual acuity of these five patients at last follow-up (mean length of follow-up 22.6 years, range 8-36 years) was 20/20. There were no patients with visual loss attributable to JRA.

CONCLUSIONS

In a population-based study of JRA in the United States, uveitis occurred at a lower frequency than expected. In the limited number of cases in this cohort with JRA-associated ophthalmologic complications there was no resulting loss of visual acuity.

Relationship of psoriatic arthritis with the other spondyloarthropathies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The seronegative spondyloarthropathies are a group of disorders sharing common clinical features, the hallmark of which is sacroiliitis. Despite the 40 years since psoriatic arthritis was recognized, controversy still exists about which patients to include within this disease group and the relation of psoriatic arthritis with the other spondyloarthropathies.

RECENT FINDINGS

Early disease can present difficulties because it is inappropriate to use criteria developed on established cases in early arthritis, in which many cases may be initially undifferentiated. The taxonomy of juvenile spondyloarthropathy remains a contentious issue, and further modifications of the Durban criteria have been suggested. The predictive value of the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group criteria for spondyloarthropathy varies with the prevalence of the disease in the population under consideration, as has been demonstrated in ambulatory practice in France and Spain. It appears that physicians differ in their interpretation of the individual features, particularly of such clinical items as asymmetry and predominantly lower limb involvement. The combination of dactylitis of a toe, heel pain, and oligoarthritis appears to be strongly suggestive of psoriatic arthritis. However, solitary heel pain can be problematic, and ultrasonographic entheseal erosion at the calcaneum has been shown equally in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. MRI may be more sensitive and quantitatively discriminative in psoriatic arthritis. Spinal involvement in psoriatic arthritis can be asymptomatic, as in classical ankylosing spondylitis. Importantly, psoriatic spondylitis has been observed in the absence of sacroiliitis.

SUMMARY

Clinicians generally agree that psoriatic arthritis constitutes a discreet subset within the spondyloarthropathy group, but the demarcation continues to be the subject of clinical research. The matter is confounded by the lack of agreed classification criteria for psoriatic arthritis; although in both adult and juvenile disease criteria for spondyloarthropathy exist, the place of psoriatic arthritis within this larger group requires further definition.