Faculty Collaboration Database

Intraarticular steroids as DMARD-sparing agents for juvenile idiopathic arthritis flares: Analysis of the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance Registry. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2022 Nov 25;20(1):107

Date

11/27/2022

Pubmed ID

36434731

Pubmed Central ID

PMC9701017

DOI

10.1186/s12969-022-00770-y

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85142929640 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   4 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) who achieve a drug free remission often experience a flare of their disease requiring either intraarticular steroids (IAS) or systemic treatment with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). IAS offer an opportunity to recapture disease control and avoid exposure to side effects from systemic immunosuppression. We examined a cohort of patients treated with IAS after drug free remission and report the probability of restarting systemic treatment within 12 months.

METHODS: We analyzed a cohort of patients from the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) Registry who received IAS for a flare after a period of drug free remission. Historical factors and clinical characteristics and of the patients including data obtained at the time of treatment were analyzed.

RESULTS: We identified 46 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Of those with follow up data available 49% had restarted systemic treatment 6 months after IAS injection and 70% had restarted systemic treatment at 12 months. The proportion of patients with prior use of a biologic DMARD was the only factor that differed between patients who restarted systemic treatment those who did not, both at 6 months (79% vs 35%, p < 0.01) and 12 months (81% vs 33%, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: While IAS are an option for all patients who flare after drug free remission, it may not prevent the need to restart systemic treatment. Prior use of a biologic DMARD may predict lack of success for IAS. Those who previously received methotrexate only, on the other hand, are excellent candidates for IAS.

Author List

Hahn T, Daymont C, Beukelman T, Groh B, Hays K, Bingham CA, Scalzi L, CARRA Registry investigators

Authors

James J. Nocton MD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
James Verbsky MD, PhD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Antirheumatic Agents
Arthritis, Juvenile
Biological Products
Child
Humans
Registries
Rheumatology
Steroids