Pain associated with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Despite a comprehensive approach to the treatment of JRA patients, pain remains a largely underdeveloped area of research and an undertreated clinical problem. Pain is a highly prevalent condition in JRA patients, one that in adults has been shown to be highly predictive of current medication usage and future disability. This recurrent or chronic pain syndrome is currently treated primarily with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but inclusion of pain management specialists on the interdisciplinary team will allow for greater use of nonpharmacologic means of pain management.