Abstract
Treatment of chronic arthritis in childhood is progressing quickly. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs still remain mainstays of treatment, but weekly methotrexate and intra-articular corticosteroid injections have made the biggest impact on disease control. Recently, tumor necrosis factor inhibitors have become available for the treatment of chronic childhood arthritis and have already had a substantial influence on disease activity. Very aggressive measures are still reserved for the sickest children who do not respond to conventional therapy, but the future for children with chronic arthritis looks bright with newer, highly targeted biologic therapies in the pipeline.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage
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Adrenal Cortex Hormones / adverse effects
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Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
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Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use*
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Arthritis, Juvenile / drug therapy*
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Child
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Chronic Disease
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Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
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Drug Therapy, Combination
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Humans
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Methotrexate / therapeutic use
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors
Substances
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Adrenal Cortex Hormones
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
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Antirheumatic Agents
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Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
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Methotrexate