Diagnosis and treatment of uveitis associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic disease in pediatric population, with uveitis as the most common and severe extra-articular manifestation. Eye damage (bilateral in 70-80% of cases) is usually anterior, chronic and asymptomatic. Young age, female gender, oligoarticular form and ANA positivity are risk factors for chronic anterior uveitis (CAU). Acute anterior uveitis (AAU) frequently occurs in HLA-B27 positive boys with enthesitis-related arthritis. The onset is on average 1.8 years after the onset of JIA, but it may also precede the articular manifestations. Ophthalmological screening for JIA is recommended every 3 or 6-12 months depending on the combination of risk factors for associated uveitis. The major purpose of the treatment is to minimize the loss of visual acuity. The treatment is topical (corticosteroids, cycloplegics) and systemic (short-term glucocorticoids, methotreexate, biological drugs). Biological therapy (indicated if previous treatments are ineffective) is using anti-TNF drugs as first choice (most studies are indicating sup erior efficiency for Adalimumab). Usually AAU is treated promptly and no systemic treatment is needed. In some cases the evolution of CAU can lead to severe complications (synechiaes, cataract, glaucoma, even blindness). Interdisciplinary approach involving the pediatric rheumatologist and ophthalmologist is essential for correct monitoring of this disease.