[Chronic juvenile arthritis. Control of long-term therapy]

Children suffering from juvenile chronic arthritis need a longterm therapy and guidance for many years. Drug therapy is only part of the whole treatment regimen and has to be permanently adapted to the actual state of the disease. Drug induced side effects must be strictly differentiated from exacerbations of the rheumatic disease. Short time clinical controls, some few laboratory tests and many detailed talks with the patient and his parents are basic requirements for successful treatment and lead in more than 80% of the juveniles to a normal school education and adequate vocational training.