Antirheumatic effects of first-line agents in the treatment of juvenile chronic arthritis

The main goal of the present study was to investigate comparatively (in the last 8 years) the effects of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on a sample of 100 children diagnosed with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). The patients were divided in 3 smaller groups, as follows: group 1--prescribed diclofenac, group 2--paduden and group 3--aspirin. Clinical features and laboratory findings were evaluated after: a 2 months trial, 4 months trial, 6 months trial, 2 years trial, 3 years trial and more than 5 years trial, from the beginning of the NSAIDs therapy. The results were the followings: within the first 12 weeks of therapy with NSAIDs a good response was obtained in 64% (group 1), 59% (group 2) and 53% (group 3) of the managed children, respectively; after 8 years of treatment for the children remained under medical observation in our clinic, the remission was obtained in 68% (diclofenac), 60% (paduden) and 64% (aspirin) of the patients on NSAIDs therapy. The incidence of side-effects in the groups treated with diclofenac and paduden has been present in a smaller percentage and less severe than in the aspirin's group. No child managed with diclofenac had major gastrointestinal, hepatic or renal reactions. These results highlight the superiority of diclofenac as a new drug over aspirin and paduden, in the treatment of JCA.