[Juvenile arthritis reevaluated in rheumatology in adult age. 30 cases]

The authors describe and comment on 30 observations of peripheral polyarthritis starting before puberty and reveluated in an adult rheumatologoy service at the average age of 29 and during an observation period of about 16 years. The actual classification of juvenile polyarthritis proves to be valid in this group since the clinical forms are still observed in adulthood. However, during the evolution, there is a shifting from one form to another. The systemic forms can reoccur in adulthood even after several years of quiescence, accompanied by visceral complications. The pauciarticular forms as a rule remain benign. As in childhood, they frequently show antinuclear factors. Some forms, initially peripheral, can show axial signs. The presence of HLA B27 antigens allow them to be linked up with ankylosing spondylarthritis. But this is not the case for all the forms with sacroiliac functions. The evolution since childhood is often characterized by long remissions which can still persist by the time of the visit, which is then motivated by resulting mechanical and local arthrotic problems. Despite often severe anatomical symptoms, the functional handicap is limited, allowing quite a remarkable adaptation. Most of the patients lead an active professional life. Yet despite this and despite an often satisfactory sex life, half of the patients have a psychological handicap which makes it necessary for them to be placed under special carl. No therapeutic conclusion, particularly about the efficiency of the basic therapy, can be drawn from this study.