The missed window: early diagnosis in juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Kids with arthritis can't wait. They should be heard, seen and diagnosed early. Anything less risks lifelong pain and disability.

Juvenile arthritis, correctly termed Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is a painful autoimmune disease affecting the joints and sometimes the eyes, skin, muscles and internal organs. If not detected and treated early, it can result in chronic pain and permanent disability from joint damage and/or loss of vision.

JIA is not rare. Up to 10,000 children under 16 and an estimated 18,000-30,000 young people aged 0-24 years have JIA 1,2 making it one of the most common chronic childhood diseases in affecting young Australians.

The average time from symptom onset to diagnosis is 10 months and for some kids it can take years.3,4 Late diagnosis closes the window of opportunity for early remission and contributes to lifelong disability.

You can change a child's life by recognising the symptoms of JIA and referring children with prolonged stiff, swollen, sore joints to a paediatric rheumatologist.

For more information about Juvenile Arthritis, visit the Early Diagnosis Healthcare Professional Hub.

References

1. Sinnappurajar P, Chaitow J. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a new outlook. Medicine Today 2023; 24 (10): 12-19.
2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, (2023). Chronic musculoskeletal conditions: Juvenile arthritis
3. Manners PJ. (4 October 1999). Delay in diagnosing juvenile arthritis. Med J Aust.171(7): 367-9. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1999.tb123694.x. PMID: 10590726
4. Bond DM, Von Huben A, Lain S, Colagiuri R, Colagiuri S, Nassar N. (2023) The Impact Study [PDF], Juvenile Arthritis Foundation

This article was provided by: Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Australia