Girls are more affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis than boys, said experts on Monday highlighting the need for recognising the symptoms early.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
is a chronic condition affecting children under 16, characterised by persistent
joint inflammation, pain, swelling, and stiffness. The exact causes of JIA are
unknown, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic and
environmental factors.
Dr Debashish Chanda - Orthopaedics
& Joint Replacement Specialist, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, said that
there was no fixed cause on what triggers JIA, but it would not be completely
irresponsible to rule out genetic and environmental causes, but it is a disease
that occurs more in girls as compared to boys.
"Children with a family history
of arthritis or autoimmune diseases are at higher risk, with girls being more
frequently affected than boys. Certain bacterial or viral infections might also
trigger JIA in genetically predisposed children," he told IANS.
While symptoms of JIA vary, it
includes joint discomfort or swelling, persistent pain, fever, rash, fatigue,
loss of appetite, and morning stiffness.
Unlike adult arthritis, which is
often due to joint cartilage degeneration, JIA is primarily an autoimmune
condition with systemic symptoms like fever and rash.
Dr Sanjeev Kapoor, Sr. Consultant
Rheumatology at the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, said, "JIA is the most
common paediatric rheumatological disorder, affecting an estimated 350,000 to
1.3 million children in India. There are five types of JIA: systemic arthritis,
which affects boys and girls equally; oligoarthritis and polyarthritis, more
common in girls; enthesitis-related arthritis, mainly in boys older than 8
years and psoriatic arthritis," he told IANS.
JIA can also impact a child's growth
and development if not properly managed.
"Recognising these symptoms
early is crucial," Dr Kapoor noted. "Treatment aims to relieve pain,
reduce inflammation, and improve the quality of life. Medications such as
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic
drugs (DMARDs), and biological agents are commonly prescribed to manage
symptoms and prevent joint damage.
The expert also stressed physical
therapy and regular exercise to maintain joint function and muscle strength. In
severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to correct joint
deformities or replace damaged joints.
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