Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: an update on current pharmacotherapy and future perspectives

Adherence to exercise therapy among children and adolescents with Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a scoping review

PURPOSE

To identify parameters and measurement methods of exercise therapy adherence, as well as barriers and facilitators affecting adherence among children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

METHODS

Studies were eligible for inclusion if patients were 0-18 years of age, had JIA, and the focus of the research was on exercise therapy patterns, measurement/parameters of exercise adherence, and barriers/facilitators for exercise adherence. Two reviewers independently identified and categorized the barriers and facilitators to exercise therapy adherence using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF).

RESULTS

Twenty articles were included in this review. Among patients with JIA, 29%-99% adhered to exercise therapy. The most commonly measured parameters of adherence were session completion and behavior component, with a self-report log serving as the most common means of assessment. Time pressure, symptoms related to JIA, lack of enjoyment, and insufficient motivation were the main barriers. Facilitators were commonly identified as adequate motivation, effective symptoms management, and social support.

CONCLUSIONS

Future interventions should consider the identified factors to promote exercise engagement in children and adolescents with JIA. Strategies for promoting exercise adherence in children and adolescents with JIA is needed.

Efficacy and Safety of NSAIDs in Infants: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature of the Past 20 Years

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used in infants, children, and adolescents worldwide; however, despite sufficient evidence of the beneficial effects of NSAIDs in children and adolescents, there is a lack of comprehensive data in infants. The present review summarizes the current knowledge on the safety and efficacy of various NSAIDs used in infants for which data are available, and includes ibuprofen, dexibuprofen, ketoprofen, flurbiprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, ketorolac, indomethacin, niflumic acid, meloxicam, celecoxib, parecoxib, rofecoxib, acetylsalicylic acid, and nimesulide. The efficacy of NSAIDs has been documented for a variety of conditions, such as fever and pain. NSAIDs are also the main pillars of anti-inflammatory treatment, such as in pediatric inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Limited data are available on the safety of most NSAIDs in infants. Adverse drug reactions may be renal, gastrointestinal, hematological, or immunologic. Since NSAIDs are among the most frequently used drugs in the pediatric population, safety and efficacy studies can be performed as part of normal clinical routine, even in young infants. Available data sources, such as (electronic) medical records, should be used for safety and efficacy analyses. On a larger scale, existing data sources, e.g. adverse drug reaction programs/networks, spontaneous national reporting systems, and electronic medical records should be assessed with child-specific methods in order to detect safety signals pertinent to certain pediatric age groups or disease entities. To improve the safety of NSAIDs in infants, treatment needs to be initiated with the lowest age-appropriate or weight-based dose. Duration of treatment and amount of drug used should be regularly evaluated and maximum dose limits and other recommendations by the manufacturer or expert committees should be followed. Treatment for non-chronic conditions such as fever and acute (postoperative) pain should be kept as short as possible. Patients with chronic conditions should be regularly monitored for possible adverse effects of NSAIDs.

Infection-Related Death among Persons with Refractory Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Bacterial sepsis led to multiorgan failure in persons receiving immunosuppressive and antiinflammatory drugs.

Severe infections are emerging as major risk factors for death among children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). In particular, children with refractory JIA treated with long-term, multiple, and often combined immunosuppressive and antiinflammatory agents, including the new biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), are at increased risk for severe infections and death. We investigated 4 persons with JIA who died during 1994–2013, three of overwhelming central venous catheter–related bacterial sepsis caused by coagulase-negative Staphylococus or α-hemolytic Streptococcus infection and 1 of disseminated adenovirus and Epstein-Barr virus infection). All 4 had active JIA refractory to long-term therapy with multiple and combined conventional and biological DMARDs. Two died while receiving high-dose systemic corticosteroids, methotrexate, and after recent exposure to anti–tumor necrosis factor-α biological DMARDs, and 2 during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation procedure. Reporting all cases of severe infections and especially deaths in these children is of paramount importance for accurate surveillance.

Growth and the Growth Hormone-Insulin Like Growth Factor 1 Axis in Children With Chronic Inflammation: Current Evidence, Gaps in Knowledge, and Future Directions

Growth failure is frequently encountered in children with chronic inflammatory conditions like juvenile idiopathic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and cystic fibrosis. Delayed puberty and attenuated pubertal growth spurt are often seen during adolescence. The underlying inflammatory state mediated by proinflammatory cytokines, prolonged use of glucocorticoid, and suboptimal nutrition contribute to growth failure and pubertal abnormalities. These factors can impair growth by their effects on the GH-IGF axis and also directly at the level of the growth plate via alterations in chondrogenesis and local growth factor signaling. Recent studies on the impact of cytokines and glucocorticoid on the growth plate further advanced our understanding of growth failure in chronic disease and provided a biological rationale of growth promotion. Targeting cytokines using biological therapy may lead to improvement of growth in some of these children, but approximately one-third continue to grow slowly. There is increasing evidence that the use of relatively high-dose recombinant human GH may lead to partial catch-up growth in chronic inflammatory conditions, although long-term follow-up data are currently limited. In this review, we comprehensively review the growth abnormalities in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and cystic fibrosis, systemic abnormalities of the GH-IGF axis, and growth plate perturbations. We also systematically reviewed all the current published studies of recombinant human GH in these conditions and discussed the role of recombinant human IGF-1.

Republished: new age of biological therapies in paediatric rheumatology

Many paediatric rheumatic diseases result from the abnormal activation or control of the immune system. Biologic drugs, which are synthesised within a biological system, have been designed to target specific molecules involved in cytokine signalling or cell-cell interactions. The past 15 years have seen a revolution in the range of effective treatments for rheumatic diseases, particularly juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). As a result, the target of inactive disease and minimal long-term disease-associated damage is increasingly becoming achievable. In this article we review evidence from recent trials of the use of biologic drugs in the treatment of systemic JIA, juvenile dermatomyositis and juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus. We also highlight novel agents currently undergoing investigation which may broaden our therapeutic armamentarium over the coming decade. Key to these developments are well-designed multicentre controlled clinical trials and long-term safety monitoring as part of international drug registries.

New age of biological therapies in paediatric rheumatology

Many paediatric rheumatic diseases result from the abnormal activation or control of the immune system. Biologic drugs, which are synthesised within a biological system, have been designed to target specific molecules involved in cytokine signalling or cell-cell interactions. The past 15 years have seen a revolution in the range of effective treatments for rheumatic diseases, particularly juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). As a result, the target of inactive disease and minimal long-term disease-associated damage is increasingly becoming achievable. In this article we review evidence from recent trials of the use of biologic drugs in the treatment of systemic JIA, juvenile dermatomyositis and juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus. We also highlight novel agents currently undergoing investigation which may broaden our therapeutic armamentarium over the coming decade. Key to these developments are well-designed multicentre controlled clinical trials and long-term safety monitoring as part of international drug registries.