Association of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and morphea: a case series

Teresa Giani1,2, Anna Madera1, Rolando Cimaz3,4

  • 1Pediatric Rheumatology, AOU Meyer, Florence, Italy.

Clinical Rheumatology
|December 16, 2019
PubMed

Insights

The rare co-occurrence of morphea and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in children is highlighted. Pediatric rheumatologists should monitor JIA patients in remission for potential morphea development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Rheumatology
  • Dermatology
  • Autoimmunology

Background:

  • Autoimmune diseases frequently coexist in individuals, even in pediatric cases.
  • Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and morphea are autoimmune conditions that rarely present together in children.

Observation:

  • This study details four pediatric cases of coexisting morphea and JIA.
  • In most cases, morphea developed after JIA onset, often during JIA remission.

Findings:

  • The association between morphea and JIA is statistically unlikely to be coincidental.
  • Morphea manifestation after JIA remission suggests a potential link beyond random occurrence.

Implications:

  • Pediatric rheumatologists must be vigilant for this rare association.
  • Continued clinical monitoring of JIA patients in long-term remission is crucial for detecting secondary autoimmune phenomena like morphea.

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