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J Rheumatol 2021 May 1. Epub 2021 May 1.

Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. Corresponding author: Arturo Borzutzky, M.D., Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Diagonal Paraguay 362 of. 807, Santiago, Chile 8330077. E-mail:

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in Chile and compare treatments and outcomes before and after the introduction in 2010 of the Explicit Health Guarantees (GES) for JIA, a national universal access program for diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

Methods: The clinical records of 280 patients with JIA followed at a private tertiary academic health network between 2007 and 2018 were reviewed.

Results: Sixty-nine percent of JIA patients were female, mean age at diagnosis was 8. Read More

Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2021 May 1;19(1):62. Epub 2021 May 1.

Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC, USA.

Background: Inadequate systemic exposure to infliximab (IFX) is associated with treatment failure. This work evaluated factors associated with reduced IFX exposure in children with autoimmune disorders requiring IFX therapy.

Methods: In this single-center cross-sectional prospective study IFX trough concentrations and anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) were measured in serum from children diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (n = 73), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) (n = 16), or uveitis (n = 8) receiving maintenance IFX infusions at an outpatient infusion clinic in a tertiary academic pediatric hospital. Read More

Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2021 Apr 14;238(4):469-473. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Purpose: To investigate demographics and causes of pediatric uveitis in a Swiss tertiary reference center over a 20-year period.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective cohort study on patients with uveitis aged less than 16 years seen at Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2019.

Results: Out of 2846 patients with uveitis seen in the Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital Ocular Immune-Infectiology Department, 317 (11. Read More

Am J Ophthalmol 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Department of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.

Purpose: To determine classification criteria for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated chronic anterior uveitis (CAU).

Design: Machine learning of cases with JIA CAU and 8 other anterior uveitides.

Methods: Cases of anterior uveitides were collected in an informatics-designed preliminary database, and a final database was constructed of cases achieving supermajority agreement on the diagnosis, using formal consensus techniques. Read More

Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2021 Apr 7:1-15. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Brazilian Society of Pediatric Ophthalmology (SBOP), Sao Paulo/SP, Brazil.

: To present a national guideline for ophthalmologic care and surveillance of juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis (JIA-uveitis).: Review article based on medical literature and the experience of an Expert Committee composed of members of the Brazilian Society of Pediatric Ophthalmology/Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology and the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics/Brazilian Society of Rheumatology. Studies with a high level of evidence were selected by searching the PubMed/Medline database. Read More

Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2021 Apr 1;19(1):48. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Korea.

Background: The early detection of uveitis associated with systemic inflammatory disease in children is important for proper treatment and prognosis. However, the diagnosis may be delayed because of difficulties in childhood examinations and early minor systemic symptoms. The objective of our study was to identify the pattern of childhood uveitis and investigate the frequency and clinical features of rheumatic diseases in pediatric patients with uveitis. Read More

Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2021 Apr 1;19(1):50. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Klipfontein Rd, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa.

Background: Non-infectious uveitis is a well-reported cause of blindness in more developed countries, however data from sub-Saharan Africa is lacking. Here we aim to describe the diseases associated with paediatric non-infectious uveitis and the effect of currently available treatment in this setting.

Methods: A retrospective observational analysis of children with non-infectious uveitis from January 2010 to December 2017, attending the tertiary paediatric rheumatology and ophthalmology referral units in Cape Town was conducted. Read More

Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2021 Mar 29;19(1):47. Epub 2021 Mar 29.

Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Versus Arthritis, Department of Medicine, University College London, Rayne Building, London, W1CE 6JF, UK.

Background: Autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) are associated with a significant sex-bias, which becomes more evident post-puberty. This systematic review aims to elucidate the bidirectional relationship between puberty and ARD-related outcomes.

Methods: Studies published in English until October 2019 were identified using a systematic search of endocrinology and rheumatology literature. Read More

Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2021 Mar 25;19(1):46. Epub 2021 Mar 25.

Paediatric Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics, University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB), University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 33, CH 4031, Basel, Switzerland.

Background: Biologic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors are prescribed in adult and paediatric rheumatology. Due to age-dependent changes, disease course, and pharmacokinetic processes paediatric patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (PiRD) differ from adult rheumatology patients.

Methods: A systematic literature search for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in PiRD treated with bDMARDs/JAK inhibitors was conducted on Medline, clinicaltrials. Read More

Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2021 Mar 22;19(1):41. Epub 2021 Mar 22.

Department of Paediatrics, Centre for Paediatric Rheumatology, Asklepios Clinic Sankt Augustin, Sankt Augustin, Germany.

Background: Oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (oligoJIA) is the most commonly diagnosed category of chronic arthritis in children. Nevertheless, there are no evidence- based guidelines for its treatment, in particular for the use of methotrexate (MTX). The primary objective of this analysis is to evaluate the outcomes in patients with persistent oligoJIA compared to those with extended oligoJIA and rheumatoid factor (RF) negative polyarthritis treated with methotrexate. Read More

Clin Ophthalmol 2021 8;15:1055-1059. Epub 2021 Mar 8.

Retinal and Inflammatory Eye Diseases, Centre for Ophthalmic Specialized Care (COS), Clinic Montchoisi Teaching Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis is the most common form of intraocular inflammation with systemic involvement in childhood. Textbooks tend to describe it as non-granulomatous anterior uveitis. Here, we report the percentage of granulomatous features in JIA-related uveitis among patients at a uveitis referral center. Read More

Rheumatol Ther 2021 Mar 15. Epub 2021 Mar 15.

Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Infection and Immunity, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.

Introduction: To investigate the efficacy and safety of anti-TNFα therapy in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis associated uveitis (JIA-U).

Methods: Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were systematically searched for studies reporting anti-TNFα treatment in patients with JIA-U. The primary outcome was the control of intraocular inflammation (CII). Read More

Fac Rev 2021 26;10:23. Epub 2021 Feb 26.

Children's of Alabama/University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the joints and other organs that occurs in 1 in 1,000 children in the United States. Given the various categories of JIA, interpretation of the literature can be difficult. In this review, new developments in understanding non-systemic JIA and its treatment will be covered. Read More

Ther Adv Ophthalmol 2021 Jan-Dec;13:2515841420984572. Epub 2021 Feb 18.

Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 200 Stein Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7003, USA.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis has an estimated prevalence of 10-20% in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, making it the most common cause of chronic anterior uveitis in children. Prompt treatment is important to prevent development of ocular complications and permanent vision loss. In this review, we will discuss the use of immunosuppression in treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis. Read More

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2021 Feb 9. Epub 2021 Feb 9.

Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Umraniye Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey.

Objectives: Paediatric non-infectious uveitis (NIU) is an important cause of significant long-term complications and blindness in children. Infliximab (IFX) is a chimeric human/murine monoclonal antibody against TNF-α that is effective in NIU resistant to conventional therapies. In this study, we aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of an IFX biosimilar (CT-P13) in paediatric patients with NIU. Read More

Int Ophthalmol 2021 Feb 24. Epub 2021 Feb 24.

School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey.

Purpose: To report the epidemiology, etiology, ocular characteristics, management, and visual outcomes of pediatric uveitis patients in Southern Turkey.

Methods: The clinical records of pediatric patients with a diagnosis of uveitis under the age of 16 years and followed up longer than 6 months were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: The study included 102 patients and 173 affected eyes. Read More

Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2021 Apr 19;238(4):458-468. Epub 2021 Feb 19.

Retinal and Inflammatory Eye Diseases, Centre for Ophthalmic Specialized Care (COS), Clinic Montchoisi Teaching Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to report on the disease course and management modalities in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis-related uveitis (JIA uveitis) or intermediate uveitis of the pars planitis type (PP) who were followed up using precise ocular investigational techniques.

Methods: This is a retrospective single-centre study. All charts of patients seen in our centre over 15 years (2005 - 2019) with a diagnosis of JIA uveitis or PP were retrieved and analysed for clinical course, severity of inflammation, type of management, and the role played by precise investigational techniques (laser flare photometry [LFP], optical coherence tomography [OCT] and fluorescein angiography [FA]) in therapeutic decisions. Read More

Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2021 Feb 17:1-8. Epub 2021 Feb 17.

Center of Ophthalmology, University of Tuebingen , Tuebingen, Germany.

: to evaluate new onset uveitis or reactivated uveitis by biologic agents and characterize their features. : This is a multicenter, retrospective case series. Patients under biologic therapy were included if they developed uveitis for the first time or experienced intraocular inflammation which was different in location or laterality to previous inflammation. Read More

Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2021 Jan;49(1):12-14

Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

J Clin Med 2021 Feb 3;10(4). Epub 2021 Feb 3.

Rheumatology and Immunology Service, Department of Pediatric Subspecialties, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore.

. To describe the clinical characteristics, predictors and treatment of children with Enthesitis Related Arthritis (ERA) in a Singapore longitudinal cohort over 11 years. . Read More

J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 2021 Jan 28. Epub 2021 Jan 28.

Uludag University School of Medicine, Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Bursa, Turkey.

Management of uveitis displays a particular challenge in childhood. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of infliximab (IFX) and adalimumab (ADA) in pediatric noninfectious uveitis that were refractory to conventional immunosuppresives. This retrospective single-center study included 33 patients who were treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents (16 with IFX and 17 with ADA). Read More

Clin Ophthalmol 2021 18;15:195-199. Epub 2021 Jan 18.

Department of Ophthalmology, Memorial Institute for Ophthalmic Research (MIOR), Giza, Egypt.

Purpose: To report the causes of uveitis in a referral ocular inflammation clinic in Upper Egypt.

Methods: Retrospective medical chart review of all uveitis cases visiting a referral uveitis clinic during the period between January 2015 and January 2020.

Results: A total of 982 patients were included. Read More

Front Immunol 2020 5;11:608134. Epub 2021 Jan 5.

Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

There has been steady progress in understanding the pathogenesis, clinical features, and effective treatment of acute anterior uveitis (AU) over the past 5 years. Large gene wide association studies have confirmed that AU is a polygenic disease, with overlaps with the seronegative arthropathies and inflammatory bowel diseases, associations that have been repeatedly confirmed in clinical studies. The role of the microbiome in AU has received increased research attention, with recent evidence indicating that human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA B27) may influence the composition of the gut microbiome in experimental animals. Read More

Ophthalmol Ther 2021 Mar 19;10(1):193-200. Epub 2021 Jan 19.

Singleton Eye Unit, Sketty Lane, Swansea, SA2 8QA, UK.

Introduction: Treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis necessitates the use of long-term corticosteroids or immunosuppressive agents, each of which poses their own significant side effect profile. Initial treatment requires intensive topical glucocorticoids, with a step-up approach employing immunosuppressive agents for those cases with poor response or high-risk complications such as macular oedema. To date, there is minimal evidence to support a specific approach to such complicated subgroups. Read More

Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2021 Jan 10;49(1):38-45. Epub 2021 Jan 10.

Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Importance: Australian- and New Zealand-based, uveitis-specialized ophthalmologists have produced recommendations for the management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-type chronic anterior uveitis.

Background: Historically, the visual prognosis of JIA-type chronic anterior uveitis has been poor. New medical advances are likely to improve outcomes, but recently published guidelines are tailored for ophthalmic care in Europe and the United States. Read More

Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2021 Jan 9. Epub 2021 Jan 9.

Division of Rheumatology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States.

Objective: Pediatric uveitis can lead to sight-threatening complications and impact quality of life (QOL) and functioning. We aim to examine health-related QOL (HRQOL), mental health, physical disability, vision-related functioning (VRF), and vision-related QOL (VRQOL) in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), JIA-associated uveitis (JIA-U), and other non-infectious uveitis. We hypothesize that there will be differences based on the presence of eye disease. Read More

S Afr Med J 2020 Nov 27;110(12):1231-1237. Epub 2020 Nov 27.

Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.

Background: Biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapies have become the gold standard of treatment for refractory rheumatic conditions in well-resourced countries. There is a significant risk of infection and reactivation of latent infections, in particular tuberculosis, with the use of biological therapies. Their safety and reasons for discontinuation in a resource-limited environment are still unclear. Read More

Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2021 Feb 22;17(2):155-161. Epub 2021 Jan 22.

Autoimmunity Lab, School of Medical Science, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.

: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic inflammatory condition in childhood. The long-term morbidity, mortality, and quality of life have improved with the earlier use of disease-modifying drugs (DMARDs) and the availability of biology disease-modifying drugs (bDMARDs). Despite the improvement of treatment, around 50% of the patients reach adulthood with articular and/or extra articular disease activity. Read More

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2020 Dec 4. Epub 2020 Dec 4.

Department of Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, Netherlands.

Objective: To build a prediction model for uveitis in children with JIA for use in current clinical practice.

Methods: Data from the international observational Pharmachild registry were used. Adjusted risk factors as well as predictors for JIA-associated uveitis (JIA-U) were determined using multivariable logistic regression models. Read More

Cureus 2020 Oct 27;12(10):e11208. Epub 2020 Oct 27.

Pediatrics, Panagiotis & Aglaia Kyriakou Children's Hospital, Athens, GRC.

Blau syndrome is a rare autoinflammatory disease, characterized by granulomatous symmetric arthritis, skin rash and uveitis. It is caused by mutations in the CARD15/NOD2 gene, which is a significant part of innate immunity. We describe the case of a patient with Blau syndrome, initially misdiagnosed as juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Read More