Abstract
Methods: 22 patients with polyarticular course JIA (19 females, three males; mean age 13.9 years; mean disease duration 6.3 years; 15 with polyarticular onset, seven with systemic onset, one with residual systemic activity; eight rheumatoid factor positive; eight with erosive disease) were treated with etanercept for up to 24 months. Etanercept was given subcutaneously at 0.4 mg/kg twice a week. Treatment response was ascertained in an open prospective study.
Results: All patients showed impressive clinical improvement, with a decrease in swollen joint count by an average of 10.1 joints (mean of 49% decrease), a decrease in tender joint count by 9.3 joints (mean of 94%), and decrease in total joint count by 11.2 joints (mean of 48%). Duration of morning stiffness decreased to less than 10 minutes. Furthermore, haemoglobin concentration increased on average by 14 g/l (mean of 15.3%) and packed cell volume increased by 0.035 (mean increase of 12%), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate decreased on average by 42.8 mm/1st h (mean decrease of 64%). No major side effects were noted.
Conclusion: Etanercept continues to be clinically effective and well tolerated in patients with polyarticular course JIA over a two year period.
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Figure 1 .
Decrease in tender joint count in patients with polyarticular course juvenile idiopathic arthritis treated with etanercept.
Figure 2 .
Decrease in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in patients with polyarticular course juvenile idiopathic arthritis treated with etanercept.