2007 Volume 19 Issue 1 Pages 31-36
We studied on the health status of the patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis into adulthood, using long-term follow-up study by self-assessment questionnaire. We examined clinical and functional outcomes, but also socio-economical status, including educational level, marital status, and orthopedic intervention. Eighty patients answered the questionnaire, but 17 cases in this group had been died. Almost all cases have showed polyarticular manifestation at the time of follow-up, but 13 cases have continuded oligoarticular manifestation. In all cases, the average age of disease onset was 10.47 years. The average age of cases at the time of folow-up is 38.0 years old. In general, the outcome of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is better than that of adult―onset rheumatoid arthritis, but some cases who continues persistent disease activity into adulthood show severe disability and handicap of living activities. However educational level and marital status are not worse than that of the general population. In marital cases pregnancies generally have a good outcome. However, a flare of disease often appeare after delivery. The risk for a postpartum flare may be present in the patients with drug treatment at the onset of pregnancy. There seem to be correlation between the incidence of postpartum flare of disease and the activity of disease at conception. Concernig major surgical intervation, half of cases have undergone one or more total hip replacemant, or total knee replacement for improving of functional disabilities in adulthood. Cause of death for 13 cases have ascribed to various complications. Only 2 cases with secondary amyloidosis have proved by autopsy.
Further research by a more accurate follow-up study of outcomes of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients is required.
