抄録
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a disease that is difficult to diagnose. Here we report a case of JIA that was treated with combination of methotrexate (MTX) and salazosulufapyridine (SASP) for several months, resulting in amelioration of joint destruction. The patient was a 14-year-old girl who had swelling and pain of the right wrist involving the second and third MCP joints. Joint pain had been evident from the beginning of 2005. At a checkup in August, only medication for external application was prescribed. She underwent re-examination in September and this revealed bone destruction, but did not attend again as there was no inflammation reaction. A further consultation in March 2006 confirmed bone destruction in the joint and narrowing of the joint space, suggesting a diagnosis of JIA. Treatment by NSAID and PSL was started, but the symptom showed little improvement, and so combination of MTX and SASP was administered. Within several months, restoration of the bone erosion and improvement of the joint space were recognized. The present case of JIA shows that cure is possible if MTX treatment is started at an early stage.
