Original article

The long-term follow up of patients with oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a single center experience.

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Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the clinical course and outcomes of oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis(JIA) patients from 2003 to 2021, identifying factors linked to severe disease and complications.

Methods: We analyzed 208 oligoarticular JIA patients followed at Cerrahpaşa Medical School, using medical records. Continuous variables were compared with the Mann-Whitney U test, and logistic regression was applied to identify predictors of severe disease and damage.

Results: Among 208 patients (68.75% female), the average treatment duration was 45 months. The knee was the most affected joint (82.6%), followed by the ankle (50.4%). The initial mean Juvenil Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS) score was 18, decreasing to 3 at the last visit. Juvenile Arthritis Damage Index (JADI) score averaged 0.64. Limited range of motion was observed in 34.13% patients. Uveitis was the most common extra-articular complication (14.9%), with higher biologic use in these patients (p<0.001). Disease severity correlated with initial and final JADAS (p<0.001) and JADI (p<0.001). Regression analysis linked elbow involvement (p=0.000) and adalimumab use (p=0.001) to disease sequelae. MEFV gene mutations were found in 10.9% of patients. Based on Wallace criteria, 85% were in remission with medication, 6.25% had inactive disease, and 8.6% achieved drug-free remission.

Conclusion: Oligoarticular JIA generally has a mild course and good prognosis. However, elbow involvement and biologic use are associated with more severe disease and sequelae. Uveitis is the most common extra-articular complication.

Keywords: arthritis, biologics, damage, oligoarticular JIA

Keywords: arthritis, biologics, damage, oligoarticular JIA