Arthritis is not only a disease of the elderly; it affects younger people as well. An estimated 4,600 Australian children in 2004–05 had arthritis. While remission is common, the disease can become chronic and result in complications over time. Juvenile arthritis also has adverse effects on children’s growth and musculoskeletal development.
Juvenile arthritis juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or juvenile chronic arthritis as it is sometimes referred to was declared a focus area under the Better Arthritis and Osteoporosis Care (BAOC) budget initiative of the Australian Government in 2006.
The disease deserves focused attention because:
- It affects children in the prime of their growth and development. This may lead to activity limitations and physical deformities more commonly and much earlier in life, requiring a greater and long-term need for health care services.
- The limitations imposed by chronic pain, in particular the inability to run and play with other children, create an acute sense of helplessness. This may limit participation in school activities, affect many day-to-day activities and cause much anxiety.
- The disability associated with juvenile arthritis may also have a significant impact on a child’s own health perception and body image.
- The management of juvenile arthritis invariably involves parents and other family members, which may impact on family dynamics.
Over the last several years, there has been a greater awareness of the need to manage the disease early and minimise its impact. With advanced treatment options now available it is important to recognise and treat this disease as soon as possible.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Summary
1 Introduction
- What is juvenile arthritis?
Juvenile vs adult arthritis
History and classifications
Monitoring juvenile arthritis
This report
2 Nature of the problem
- The clinical problem
Diagnosis
Causal mechanisms and risk factors
Prognosis, complications and comorbidity
3 Magnitude of the problem
- Incidence and prevalence
Activity limitation
Health care service use
Mortality
4 Impact on growth, functioning and quality of life
- The experience of arthritis
Long-term outcomes
Juvenile arthritis and family
5 Treatment and management
- Management strategies
Appendix A
- The International League Against Rheumatism classification of juvenile arthritis
Appendix B
- Data sources
Appendix C
- Definition of medical terms
References
List of tables
List of figures
