Juvenile idiopathic arthritis in an adult Filipino female: A case report

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a family of arthritic conditions that occurs in childhood. If untreated, the disease may result in poor quality of life and complications, such as long-term joint damage, that may affect patients their entire lives.

A case of a 23-year-old Filipino female presenting with persistent joint pain in both knees, ankles, wrists, and multiple fingers and toes since childhood was investigated. Bilateral eye pain and redness with associated headache, nausea, and vomiting, prompted consultation at the emergency room. Physical examination revealed deformity, erythema and swelling of multiple joints. Ophthalmologic exam revealed poor visual acuity of both eyes (20/100, both eyes). C-reactive protein was elevated, and rheumatoid factor (RF) was negative. The patient underwent glaucoma drainage device (Ahmed valve) insertion on both eyes and was treated on an out-patient basis with adalimumab, methotrexate, prednisone, folic acid, and prednisolone acetate eye drops.

JIA is a complicated disease which begins early in life and affects patients even in adulthood. These patients may suffer from arthritis with permanent joint deformities and uveitis, among other disabilities that make daily tasks impossible, impacting patients both mentally and socially.