Transcriptomic signatures of classical monocytes reveal pro-inflammatory modules and heterogeneity in polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Introduction: Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) is a childhood-onset autoimmune disease. Immune cells contribute to persistent inflammation observed in pJIA. Despite the crucial role of monocytes in arthritis, the precise involvement of classical monocytes in the pathogenesis of pJIA remains uncertain. Here, we aimed to uncover the transcriptomic patterns of classical monocytes in pJIA, focusing on their involvement in disease mechanism and heterogeneity. Methods: A total of 17 healthy subjects and 18 premenopausal women with pJIA according to ILAR criteria were included. Classical monocytes were isolated, and RNA sequencing was performed. Differential expression analysis was used to compare pJIA patients and healthy control group. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed. Using unsupervised learning approach, patients were clustered in two groups based on their similarities at transcriptomic level. Subsequently, these clusters underwent a comparative analysis to reveal differences at the transcriptomic level. Results: We identified 440 DEGs in pJIA patients of which 360 were upregulated and 80 downregulated. GSEA highlighted TNF-α and IFN-γ response. Importantly, this analysis not only detected genes targeted by pJIA therapy but also identified new modulators of immuno-inflammation. PLAUR, IL1B, IL6, CDKN1A, PIM1, and ICAM1 were pointed as drivers of chronic hyperinflammation. Unsupervised learning approach revealed two clusters within pJIA, each exhibiting varying inflammation levels. Conclusion: These findings indicate the pivotal role of immuno-inflammation driven by classical monocytes in pJIA and reveals the existence of two subclusters within pJIA, regardless the positivity of rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP, paving the way to precision medicine.

Cambio de diagnóstico y de categoría diagnóstica en pacientes con artritis idiopática juvenil en 7 años de seguimiento / Change of diagnosis and diagnostic category in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis within 7 years of follow-up

Resumen: Introducción: Al menos 50% de los pacientes pediátricos portadores de artritis idiopática juvenil (AIJ) continuará control en reumatología adulto. La clasificación de la Liga Internacional de Asociaciones de Reumatología (ILAR) vigente, actualmente en revisión, difiere de la clasificación de las artritis inflamatorias del adulto. Se ha reportado cambios de categoría en 10,8% de los pacientes durante el seguimiento. Objetivo: Analizar los pacientes con AIJ seguidos al menos 7 años para objetivar cambios de diagnós tico en la transición, e identificar factores de mal pronóstico funcional. Pacientes y Método: Estudio retrospectivo en base a registros clínicos. Se incluyó a la totalidad de los pacientes con AIJ controla dos en policlínico pediátrico del Hospital de Puerto Montt entre el año 2005 y 2017, que cumplieron siete o más años de seguimiento. Se realizó análisis descriptivo en base a variables clínicas: categoría diagnóstica, tiempo de evolución al diagnóstico, actividad clínica y serológica, y tiempo de evolución al inicio de la terapia farmacológica. Resultados: Se evaluaron 18 pacientes, 3 Oligo-articular (OA) persistente, 1 OA extendida, 4 Poli-articular (PA) factor reumatoide (FR) negativo, 4 PA FR positivo, 5 Sistémicas, 1 Psoriática, todos con seguimiento mayor a 7 años. Once de 18 niños fueron transfe ridos a adultos. Tres de 11 cambiaron de diagnóstico a Artritis Reumatoide (AR) más otra enferme dad autoinmune: Síndrome de Sjögren + Lupus eritematoso sistémico, Púrpura trombocitopénico inmune, Enfermedad autoinmune no clasificada y cinco de 11 niños de categoría ILAR: OA a Artritis reumatoide juvenil, OA extendida a PA FR negativo, 3 Sistémicas a PA FR negativo. Edad de inicio, formas poli-articulares, retrasos en diagnóstico y comienzo de terapia se asociaron a secuelas e infla mación persistente. Conclusiones: Ocho de once pacientes transferidos cambiaron denominación diagnóstica y/o presentaron otras enfermedades autoinmunes. Algunos factores de mal pronóstico deben mejorar.

Abstract: Introduction: At least 50% of pediatric patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) will require continued fo llow-up in adult rheumatology. The present International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) classification, currently under revision, differs from its classification of inflammatory arthritis in adults. Category changes have been reported in 10.8% of patients during follow-up. Objective: To analyze JIA patients in follow-up for at least 7 years to detect diagnosis changes during transition to adult care, identifying factors of poor functional prognosis. Patients and Method: Retrospective study based on medical records of JIA patients seen at the pediatric polyclinic of the Puerto Montt Hospital between 2005 and 2017, who were monitored for at least 7 years. Descriptive analysis was performed according to clinical variables: diagnostic category, evolution before diagnosis, clinical and serological activity, and evolution before starting drug therapy. Results: We evaluated 18 pa tients, corresponding to 3 patients with persistent oligoarticular arthritis (OA), 1 with extended OA, 4 with polyarticular arthritis (PA) rheumatoid factor (RF) negative, 4 with PA RF positive, 5 with syste mic JIA, and 1 with psoriatic arthritis, all have had follow-up more than 7 years. 11 out of 18 patients transitioned to adult care. Three out of 11 patients changed diagnosis to Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) plus another autoimmune disease such as Sjögren's Syndrome + Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Immune thrombocytopenia, or unclassified autoimmune disease, and 5 out of 11 children changed ILAR category from OA to Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, extended OA to PA RF negative, and 3 from Systemic arthritis to PA RF negative. Age of onset, polyarticular forms, delay in diagnosis, and the start of therapy were associated with sequelae and persistent inflammation. Conclusions: Eight of the eleven JIA patients who transitioned to adult care changed their diagnosis or presented other autoimmune diseases. Some factors of poor prognosis must improve.

Doença periodontal e artrite idiopática juvenil: uma inter-relação bidirecional / Periodontal disease and juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a bidirectional inter-relationship

Parece haver similaridades entre a patogenia de doenças reumatológicas (artrite reumatoide e artrite idiopática juvenil) e periodontite. Alguns estudos têm sido conduzidos com o objetivo de elucidar os mecanismos que explicam a inter-relação entre essas condições. A artrite reumatoide parece aumentar a suscetibilidade à doença periodontal destrutiva em adultos e em pacientes com artrite idiopática juvenil. No entanto, ainda são pouco conhecidas as vias de associação entre essas condições crônicas infl amatórias (periodontite e artrite). Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi promover uma revisão da literatura sobre a inter-relação artrite idiopática infantil e doença periodontal.

Similarities between rheumatologic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis) and periodontitis pathogenesis are discussed. Some studies have been conducted to elucidate the mechanisms that explain the relationship between these conditions. Rheumatoid arthritis appears to increase susceptibility to destructive periodontal disease in adults and in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. However, the pathway of association between these chronic infl ammatory conditions are barely known. Thus, the aim of this study was to review the literature concerning the relationship between juvenile idiopathic arthritis and periodontitis.

Biologics in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a narrative review.

In the past years, pediatric rheumatology has seen a revolution in the treatments for rheumatic diseases, particularly juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Even if nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), intra-articular corticosteroids (IAC) injections, and methotrexate remain the mainstay of the treatment for JIA patients, in aggressive disease, these treatments may be not sufficient to reach disease remission and to prevent long-term disability. Comprehension of immunological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of the diseases allowed to conceive new drugs targeting specific steps of the immune response. Several cytokines, like TNF alpha and IL-1, represent a very interesting target for biologic therapies. Due to the efficacy of these therapies, nowadays, "disease remission" in pediatric rheumatology is more and more frequent, especially in juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients, and the long-term outcomes have been significantly improved. Crucial to these advancements have been multicenter controlled clinical trials and long-term safety monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: Research in pediatric rheumatology has resulted in dramatic advances in diseases management. Biologic treatments have improved physical and functional outcomes and quality of life of patients with rheumatic disease. What is Known: • NSAID, intra-articular injection of corticoids, and methotrexate are the mainstay in treatment of JIA. • In aggressive JIA, these treatments may be not sufficient to reach disease remission and to prevent long term disability. What is New: • In recent years, management of JIA has significantly improved with the development of biologic therapies that allowed children with arthritis to reach a normal growth and to achieve a good long-term functional outcome.

La artritis reumatoidea juvenil y su influencia en la alteración de desarrollo de la mandíbula / Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and its influence on the alteration of jaw development

La artritis reumatoidea juvenil (ARJ) es una enfermedad inflamatoria autoinmune que se presenta en niños menores de 16 años. Es de curso crónico, etiología desconocida, y afecta sobre todo las articulaciones, como la temporomandibular (ATM). El daño de la ATM puede ocasionar: alteraciones en el crecimiento facial (micrognatia), maloclusión clase II, mordida abierta anterior, desviaciones laterales, erosiones óseas, destrucción del cón-dilo, oclusión disfuncional y alteración de la estética facial, entre otras consecuencias. La posición oclusal neurofisiológica lograda por medio de elementos electrónicos, como el Transcutaneus Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS), y mantenida por el Dispositivo Intaroral (DIO) podría posibilitar la remodelación de la cabeza del cóndilo, en pacientes en crecimiento, en los que la enfermedad se halla controlada, regulando así también la sintomatología dolorosa...

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis and the temporomandibular joint: A comprehensive review.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common inflammatory rheumatic disease of childhood and represents a series of chronic inflammatory arthritides of unknown cause. Involvement of the temporomandibular joint has been reported in up to 87% of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis when based on magnetic tomography imaging; it can be asymptomatic and may lead to severe long term complications. In this review a summary of the contemporary literature of imaging of the temporomandibular joint in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis will be provided, including ultrasound which is a valuable method for guided joint injections, but does not necessarily allow detection of acute inflammation, cone beam computed tomography, which has emerged as a feasible and accurate low-dose alternative as compared to conventional computed tomography to detect destructive change, and magnetic resonance imaging which is considered the method of choice for assessing acute, inflammatory change, although the lack of normative standards remains a challenge in children.

Problemas autoinmunes como factor etiológico de las alteraciones del desarrollo de la mandíbula: artritis reumatoidea juvenil / Autoimmune problems as etiolocial factors of developmental disorders of the jaw: juvenile idiopathic arthritis

La artritis reumatoidea juvenil (ARJ) es una enfermedad inflamatoria autoinmune en niños menores de 16 años. Es de curso crónico, etiología desconocida y afecta sobre todo las articulaciones, como la temporomandibular (ATM). El compromiso de la ATM puede ocasionar alteraciones en el crecimiento facial (micrognatia), maloclusión clase II, mordida abierta anterior, desviaciones laterales, erosiones óseas, destrucción del cóndilo, oclusión disfuncional y alteración de la estética facial, entre otras consecuencias. La posición oclusal neurofisiológica lograda por medio de elementos electrónicos, como el Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS), y mantenida por el dispositivo intraoral (DIO), posibilitaría la remodelación de la cabeza del cóndilo, en pacientes en crecimiento, en los que la enfermedad se halla controlada, controlando así también la sintomatología dolorosa.

Natural killer cell activity and frequency of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors in children with different forms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) has three major onset types with widely varying clinical features: systemic, polyarticular and pauciarticular. We assessed natural killer (NK) cell function and killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genotypes in patients with different JIA subtypes. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples from 72 children with active JIA (systemic, 25; polyarticular, 24; pauciarticular, 23) and 25 controls were used for flow cytometric assessments of NK cell count, cytotoxicity, perforin, granzyme B, interferon (IFN)-γ and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Samples from 220 children with JIA (systemic, 84; polyarticular, 72; pauciarticular, 64) and 150 controls were used for KIR2DS2, KIR2DS4, KIR3DS1, KIR2DL1, KIR2DL2, KIR2DL3 and KIR3DL1 typing by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, the patients with systemic JIA showed lower NK cell counts, cytotoxicity and perforin and granzyme B expression (p < 0.05), while the patients with pauci- and polyarticular JIA showed higher perforin and granzyme B expression (p < 0.05). NK cells produced higher level of TNF-α while lower level of IFN-γ in the pauci- and polyarticular JIA groups than in the systemic JIA group (p < 0.05). No significant differences in KIR gene frequencies were found between the JIA subgroups and healthy controls, except for the positive frequency and locus frequency of KIR2DS4, which were lower in the systemic JIA group. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with poly- and pauciarticular JIA, systemic JIA is associated with decreased NK cell function, more IFN-γ and less TNF-α secretion of NK cell and lower KIR2DS4 frequency.

Elevated serum resistin in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: relation to categories and disease activity.

BACKGROUND: Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is one of the more common chronic diseases of childhood that often persists into adulthood and can result in significant long-term morbidity, including physical disability. The aim of the present study was to assess the serum level of resistin in JIA patients and compare its levels according to the categories, clinical manifestations and disease activity. METHODS: Sixty-eight JIA patients and 33 age and sex matched control children were included in the present study. All patients included in this study were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination. Juvenile arthritis disease activity score in 27 joints (JADAS-27) was calculated and Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) was used to measure the functional status. Serum resistin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The mean serum resistin was significantly higher in the JIA patients (4.01 ± 2.46 ng/ml) compared to the control (2.08 ± 1.23 ng/ml) (p<0.001) especially those with systemic-onset. Its level was significantly higher in those receiving steroids and those with a positive antinuclear antibody. Resistin significantly correlated with the JADAS27 (r 0.26, p 0.035) and CHAQ (r 0.4, p 0.001). The JIA patients were 50 females and 18 males; however, the level of resistin was insignificantly different according to the gender although there was a tendency to be higher in females. CONCLUSION: Our results reinforce the proposition of an important role for resistin in JIA and may be considered an interesting biomarker for disease activity especially those with systemic onset.

Patología inflamatoria de columna en niños y adolescentes / Inflammatory spine pathology in children and adolescents

Chronic inflammatory axial pain is an uncommon pediatric syndrome, brings a number of diseases affecting the axial skeleton. It is characterized by unknown etiology, with recognizing genetic susceptibility factors. The medical clinician should be performed to establish the diagnosis, making accurate therapy for long-term success and working to get a good quality of life. Current classifications established for children and young patients forms are limited by the pediatric medical short follow-up age. Two international classifications (a) International League of Associations for Rheumatology and (b) Classification of juvenile spondyloarthropathies Spondylarthropathy European group Study Group to achieve approximate diagnosis for pediatric rheumatology forms. The adult rheumatologist usually who will establish the definitive diagnosis and prognosis. The chronic inflammatory axial pain needs an unification of classification criteria for children and adults in order to facilitate the scientific communication and medical transition.

El dolor axial inflamatorio crónico es una entidad infrecuente en Pediatría, y agrupa una serie de patologías que afectan el esqueleto axial. este grupo de enfermedades son de etiología aún desconocida, reconociendo factores de susceptibilidad genética en ellas. Su importancia está en el enfoque que el clínico debe realizar para establecer el diagnóstico, realizar una terapia precoz para obtener buenos resultados a largo plazo y procurar que el paciente obtenga una buena calidad de vida. Las clasificaciones actuales establecidas para las formas infantojuveniles se ven limitadas por lo breve del periodo de seguimiento etario, además que se hace necesario aplicar dos clasificaciones internacionales (a) International League of Associations for Rheumatology y (b) Clasificación de Espondiloartropatías Juveniles del European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group para lograr el diagnóstico aproximado. Es necesario considerar que en muchos casos será el reumatólogo de adultos quien establecerá el diagnóstico y pronóstico definitivo. Se reconoce que este grupo de patología inflamatoria crónica requiere unificación de criterios de clasificación en niños y adultos para facilitar la comunicación científica y de transición.

La artritis idiopática juvenil y su relevancia dentro de las enfermedades reumatológicas de la infancia / Juvenile idiopathic arthritis and its relevance in rheumatological diseases of children

El dolor y la inflamación que afecta a las articulaciones o tejidos periarticulares son motivo frecuente de consulta a nivel pediátrico. Dentro de los diagnósticos diferenciales se encuentran las enfermedades reumatológicas. En los últimos años ha cambiado el pronóstico y visión que se tenía de estas enfermedades gracias a los nuevos conocimientos sobre la patogenia y a la incorporación de nuevas terapias con agentes biológicos, basados en anticuerpos monoclonales y que se ha traducido en un cambio en los tratamientos convencionales de estas enfermedades. La Artritis Reumatoidea Juvenil, actualmente denominada Artritis Idiopática Juvenil (AIJ), constituye la enfermedad más frecuente dentro del espectro de estos cuadros autoinmunes. El objetivo de esta presentación es dar a conocer las diversas formas de AIJ y los principales hallazgos clínicos y de laboratorio que pueden orientar al clínico acerca de estas enfermedades y así iniciar un tratamiento oportuno que asegure un buen pronóstico de la enfermedad.

Musculoskeletal pain, joint pain and arthritis are a common complaint in pediatric practice. Among the differential diagnosis for these conditions are rheumatic diseases. Treatment and outcome of these conditions has greatly improved in recent years due to advances in the knowledge of the underlying mechanisms and the development of new therapies with biologic agents, based on monoclonal antibodies. These new therapies have changed the outcome and vision of these diseases. Among the different rheumatologic diseases described in children, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, now called Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), is the most common disease within the spectrum of autoimmune conditions. The aim of this presentation is to show the different forms of JIA and the main clinical and laboratory findings that can guide the clinician to an early diagnosis and initiate a timely treatment that can guarantee a better prognosis.

Etanercept treatment in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: the Polish registry.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of etanercept treatment in Polish patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). MATERIAL/METHODS: The study involved patients, fulfilling the JIA criteria of the International League of Associations of Rheumatology (ILAR), who were started on etanercept therapy after methotrexate and other synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) had proven ineffective. Patient data were collected in an electronic registry. Disease improvement was assessed based on Giannini's criteria. RESULTS: The statistical analysis involved 188 patients. Significant improvement was observed in all clinical and laboratory parameters after the first month of therapy and was maintained in the following months. ACR Pediatric 30, 50, 70, 90, and 100 improvement was observed in 81.4%, 65.9%, 27.5%, 16.2%, and 15%, respectively, of patients after 3 months and in 94.7%, 88.4%, 62.1%, 34.7%, and 26.3%, respectively, after 24 months of treatment. Throughout the 72-month safety observation period, 1162 adverse events were reported; the exposure-adjusted AE rate was 2.96 per patient per year. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with various subtypes of JIA resistant to conventional DMARD treatment, etanercept resulted in significant and long-lasting improvements in disease activity. Combination treatment with etanercept and a DMARD was well tolerated.

Clinical manifestations and treatment of the pediatric rheumatoid patient.

The management goal of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is to achieve early diagnosis and treatment so that arthritis can be resolved at an early stage, which avoids long-term damage and provides a good outcome of the affected inflammatory joints. This article describes presentation, classification, evaluation, and treatment of JRA as it relates to the foot and ankle. Because the course of JRA is complex and the optimal management is highly variable in each patient, this article can only offer recommendations. Actual treatment should be individualized to meet the conditions of each patient.

Artritis idiopática juvenil / Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

La Artritis Idiopática Juvenil (AIJ), es un término que describe a un grupo heterogéneo de artritis inflamatoria crónica, que ocurre en personas menores de 16 años de edad, tiene una duración de 6 semanas o más, y donde otras patologías han sido excluidas. El propósito de esta revisión es presentar los cambios en la clasificación y diagnóstico, y mencionar algunos aspectos en el tratamiento de la Artritis Idiopática Juvenil, a fin de lograr un mayor conocimiento de esta patología, en cuyo seguimiento intervienen de manera multidisciplinaria el pediatra, el reumatólogo infantil, el fisiatra, el traumatólogo, el psicólogo y los especialistas de sistemas afectados.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a term that describes a heterogeneous group of chronic inflammatory arthritic conditions occurring in persons under age 16 and which last 6 weeks or more, when other diseases have been excluded. The purpose of this review is to report on changes that have been made in classification and diagnosis of the condition, and to mention some aspects of its treatment to promote better understanding of these conditions, in which roles exist for practitioners from a number of disciplines, including pediatricians, pediatric rheumatologists, physiatrists, traumatologists, psychologists, and others from specialties related to specific affected systems.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: classification, clinical presentation and current treatments.

BACKGROUND: The term juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) describes a clinically heterogeneous group of arthritides. The onset in all subgroups is before 16 years of age, but each group presents with different clinical signs and symptoms. The cause of the disease is unknown, but both genetic and environmental factors are believed to be involved. Management of the disease has greatly improved in recent years due to advances in pharmacologic treatment options (especially with new biologic agents) and the prognosis for patients is better than ever before. However, none of the available drugs has a curative potential. This review provides an overview on the classification and the clinical symptoms of the defined subgroups of JIA as well as pharmacotherapies for it. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of children with JIA is challenging and complex. Since lengthy therapy might be necessary, a multidisciplinary pediatric rheumatology team is crucial for optimal treatment. Although a cure is unknown at this time, adequate treatment aims to preserve function of the joints as well as normal childhood development.

Artritis idiopática juvenil: parte 1: diagnóstico, patogenia y manifestaciones clínicas / Juvenil idiopathic arthritis: part 1: diagnosis, pathogenesis and clinical manifestations

La artritis idiopática juvenil no constituye una entidad “única” sino un grupo heterogéneo de enfermedades o trastornos inflamatorios. Esta nueva denominación abarca diferentes categorías de enfermedad, cada una de ellas con distintas formas de presentación, signos y síntomas clínicos, y pronóstico. La causa de esta entidad es aún desconocida, pero factores ambientales y genéticos intervienen en su patogenia. Es la más común de las enfermedades reumáticas en la infancia y causa importante de discapacidad a corto y largo plazos. Revisaremos aquí las manifestaciones clínicas, la nueva clasificación, el abordaje diagnóstico y los diagnósticos diferenciales.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is not a single disease and constitutes an heterogeneous group of illnesses or inflammatory disorders. This new nomenclature encompasses different disease categories, each of which has different presentation, clinical signs, symptoms, and outcome. The cause of the disease is still unknown but both environmental and genetic factors seem to be related to its pathogenesis. Is the most common chronic rheumatic disease in children and an important cause of short-term and long-term disability.In this article, clinical manifestation, new classification and approach to diagnosis are reviewed.

Long-term safety and effectiveness of etanercept in children with selected categories of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the long-term safety and effectiveness of etanercept alone or in combination with methotrexate (MTX) in children with selected categories of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). METHODS: Patients ages 2-18 years with rheumatoid factor (RF)-positive or RF-negative polyarthritis, systemic JIA, or extended oligoarthritis were eligible for the study. Patients received MTX alone (> or =10 mg/m(2)/week [ approximately 0.3 mg/kg/week], maximum dosage 1 mg/kg/week), etanercept alone (0.8 mg/kg/week, maximum dose 50 mg), or etanercept plus MTX for 3 years in an open-label, nonrandomized study. Safety was assessed by measuring rates of adverse events, and effectiveness was assessed using the physician's global assessment of disease activity and the pediatric total joint assessment. RESULTS: A total of 197, 103, and 294 patients were enrolled in the MTX, etanercept, and etanercept plus MTX groups, respectively. Exposure-adjusted rates of adverse events were similar among the 3 treatment groups (18.3, 18.7, and 21.6 per 100 patient-years in the MTX, etanercept, and etanercept plus MTX groups, respectively). Respective rates per 100 patient-years of serious adverse events (4.6, 7.1, and 6.0) and medically important infections (1.3, 1.8, and 2.1) were also similar among the 3 treatment groups. Scores for physician's global assessment and total active joints improved from baseline, and improvement was maintained for the duration of the study. CONCLUSION: These data confirm the findings of other long-term studies and suggest that etanercept or etanercept plus MTX has an acceptable safety and effectiveness profile in children with selected categories of JIA. Improvement was maintained for 3 years in those continuing to receive medication.

Synovial fluid RANKL and matrix metalloproteinase levels in enthesitis related arthritis subtype of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

In chronic arthritis cartilage and bone destruction occur as a consequence of synovial inflammation. It is mainly mediated by matrix metalloproteinases and RANKL-OPG pathways. Data on synovial fluid levels of these mediators in enthesitis related arthritis subtype (ERA) of JIA are not available. MMP-1, MMP-3, TIMP, sRANKL and OPG levels were measured in synovial fluid from patients with ERA and compared with other arthritides, polyarticular (Poly) JIA, RA and osteoarthritis (OA). sRANKL was detectable in 25/41 of ERA patients, 4/16 of Poly JIA patients. Median SF sRANKL level in patients with ERA was higher as compared to OA (p < 0.001) and poly JIA (p < 0.05) but were comparable to RA. The median OPG level in ERA was lower as compared to OA (p < 0.001), comparable to RA but was higher than poly JIA (p < 0.001). sRANKL/OPG ratio was significantly higher in ERA and Poly JIA compared to OA (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001 respectively). The median MMP3 levels in ERA (74 microg/ml) was lower as compared to poly JIA (410 microg/ml; p < 0.0001) and RA (340 ug/ml; p < 0.0001) but was comparable to OA (107 microg/ml). The median level of ProMMP1 in ERA (0.70 microg/ml) was lower as compared to RA (2.9 microg/ml; p < 0.0001) and poly JIA but was elevated as compared to OA patients (0.1 microg/ml; p < 0.0001). TIMP1 levels in ERA were higher than poly JIA and RA patients. MMP3/TIMP1 ratio was lower in ERA compared to polyarticular JIA patients (p < 0.05). Ours is the first study reporting elevated sRANKL and reduced OPG levels and elevated sRANKL/OPG ratio in SF of children with JIA resulting in a mileu associated with bone loss. In addition, ERA patients had lower MMP level as well as MMP/TIMP ratio as compared to poly JIA which may partly explain lesser degree of joint damage seen in ERA as compared to poly JIA.