Medical clowns facilitate nitrous oxide sedation during intra-articular corticosteroid injection for juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Intra-articular corticosteroid injection (IACI), a common procedure in juvenile idiopathic arthritis, is usually associated with anxiety and pain. In a previous study, we concluded that nitrous oxide (NO2) provides effective and safe sedation for such procedures. Following the introduction of medical clowns in our hospital, we added them as an integral part of the team performing IACI. OBJECTIVES: To prospectively evaluate the effect of a medical clown on pain perception during intra-articular corticosteroid injection for juvenile idiopathic arthritis using NO2 conscious sedation. METHODS: Patients scheduled for IACI first met and interacted with the medical clown. During the procedure, the rheumatologist and the medical clown worked in parallel to create distraction. NO2 was administered. The patient, parent, physician, medical clown and nurse completed a visual analog scale (0-10) for pain. Change in heart rate ≥ 15% was recorded to evaluate physiologic response to pain and stress. RESULTS: A total of 46 procedures were performed in 32 children: 23 girls, 9 boys, with a mean age of 10.9 ± 3.6 years. The median visual analog scale pain score for the patients, parents, physicians, medical clown and nurses was 2, 2, 1, 1 and 1, respectively. Five patients had increased heart rate and experienced increased pain. CONCLUSIONS: Active participation of a medical clown during IACI with nitrous oxide for juvenile idiopathic arthritis further decreases pain and stress and results in a positive patient experience.

[Medical clowns--dream doctors as important team members in the treatment of young children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis].

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic rheumatic disease in children. An intra-articular corticosteroid injection (IAS), one of the cornerstones of treatment for this disease, is usuaLLy associated with anxiety and pain. A major part of the success in reducing the pain is associated with the level of the child's anxiety even before starting the procedure. This is a case study of a 5 year old girl with JIA, who has been treated with an intra-articular corticosteroid injection to her knee joint. The case study is presented from the point of view of the medical clown, who is an important integral part of the team of the IAS procedure. In this article we will discuss the participation of medical clowns in the treatment of children in general, and in the IAS procedure in particular. The importance of the subject stems from the fact that it has been proven that the presence of medical clowns significantly alleviates the children's anxiety and pain. This study, as well as others on this subject, shows that we should encourage medical clowns as an integraL part of the treatment of children.

The safety profile of biologic therapies for juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

The treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) has been revolutionized by the use of novel biologic agents that have much improved patients' short-term and, according to early evidence, long-term outcomes. Currently available biologic agents used to treat patients with JIA include tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, various agents that target interleukin (IL)-1 and the IL-6 receptor, T-cell co-stimulation inhibitors and antibodies to B-lymphocyte antigen CD20. These agents are increasingly used early in the course of the disease (often in combination with other immunosuppressive medications) and often for long periods of time, as patients can be difficult to wean from their use. Safety concerns (especially the long-term effects of biologic therapy) are, therefore, being examined more closely. For instance, in 2009, the FDA issued a warning related to the development of malignancies in patients with JIA who had used anti-TNF medications for >2.5 years. In this Review, data related to the safety profile of all currently available biologic agents used to treat JIA are examined, with a particular focus on anti-TNF therapy, the most studied biologic agent for JIA. Safety issues that need further study, including the implementation of registries to monitor long-term drug safety, are also discussed.

Effectiveness of an herbal preparation containing echinacea, propolis, and vitamin C in preventing respiratory tract infections in children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a preparation containing echinacea, propolis, and vitamin C in the prevention of respiratory tract infections in children during a 12-week winter period. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. SUBJECTS: Four hundred thirty children, aged 1 to 5 years, were randomized to an herbal extract preparation (n = 215) or a placebo elixir (n = 215). INTERVENTION: Administration of an herbal preparation (Chizukit) containing 50 mg/mL of echinacea, 50 mg/mL of propolis, and 10 mg/mL of vitamin C, or placebo (5.0 mL and 7.5 mL twice daily for ages 1 to 3 years and 4 to 5 years, respectively) for 12 weeks. RESULTS: Significant mean +/- SD reductions of illnesses were seen in the Chizukit group in the number of illness episodes, 138 vs 308 (55% reduction); number of episodes per child, 0.9 +/- 1.1 vs 1.8 +/- 1.3 (50% reduction, P<.001); and number of days with fever per child, 2.1 +/- 2.9 vs 5.4 +/- 4.4) (62% reduction, P<.001). The total number of illness days and duration of individual episodes were also significantly lower in the Chizukit group. Adverse drug reactions were rare, mild, and transient. CONCLUSION: A preventive effect of a product containing echinacea, propolis, and vitamin C on the incidence of respiratory tract infections was observed.