Recent advances in uveitis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Kaisu Kotaniemi1, Anneli Savolainen, Anni Karma

  • 1Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, Heinola, Finland.

Survey of Ophthalmology
|September 23, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) can cause chronic uveitis in children, often without symptoms. Regular eye screenings are vital for early detection and management to prevent vision loss.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Rheumatology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Chronic scarring-type uveitis is a common complication of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
  • Uveitis affects approximately 20% of children with JIA, typically appearing within years of disease onset.
  • Risk factors include antinuclear antibody positivity, female sex, and early-onset oligoarthritis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the significance of early detection and management of uveitis in JIA patients.
  • To emphasize the need for routine ophthalmic screening in children diagnosed with JIA.

Main Methods:

  • The abstract describes the clinical presentation, risk factors, and management strategies for uveitis in JIA.
  • It emphasizes the importance of regular screening due to the often asymptomatic nature of the condition.

Main Results:

  • Chronic bilateral anterior uveitis is the typical presentation, often asymptomatic until significant ocular damage occurs.
  • Routine screening (2-4 times annually) is crucial for preventing complications.
  • Standard treatment involves topical corticosteroids and mydriatics, with immunosuppressants and surgery for severe or refractory cases.

Conclusions:

  • Early and regular screening is essential for managing uveitis in JIA patients.
  • While prognosis is improving, some cases remain challenging, particularly when uveitis precedes arthritis onset.

Related Concept Videos

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment01:27

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment

In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment01:28

Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment

Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
Glaucoma: Overview01:25

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
Nephrotic Syndrome II : Assessment and Medical Management01:26

Nephrotic Syndrome II : Assessment and Medical Management

IntroductionNephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder marked by excessive protein loss in the urine, leading to various systemic complications. This condition often results from damage to the glomeruli—the kidney's filtering units—causing proteinuria, low blood protein levels, and fluid retention. Understanding the assessment, diagnosis, and management of nephrotic syndrome is essential for effective treatment and prevention of further kidney damage.AssessmentPatient History: Document any history...
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
Autoimmune Disorders01:29

Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells, tissues, and organs. This results from an overactive immune response against substances and tissues normally present in the body. Let's delve into the concept and mechanism of autoimmune diseases from an immune system point of view, explore different causes and examples of such diseases, and discuss potential solutions.
Concept and Mechanism of Autoimmune Diseases
The immune system...