Idiopathic rheumatoid arthritis

The types of juvenile idiopathic arthritis are treated similarly, and the drugs used to reduce pain and inflammation are the same as for rheumatoid arthritis. If the children have systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, then an annual eye exam suffices. Children must be examined several times a year by an ophthalmologist for iridocyclitis regardless of whether symptoms are present. X-ray studies eventually may show characteristic changes in the bones or joints. Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis who have antinuclear antibodies in their blood are at a higher risk of developing iridocyclitis. An adolescent with polyarticular juvenile arthritis and a positive test result for rheumatoid factor has a form of arthritis that is very similar to rheumatoid arthritis in adults. However, many children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis do not have rheumatoid factor or antinuclear antibodies in their blood. Blood is tested for rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibodies, which are present in some people with rheumatoid arthritis and related diseases. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is usually very abnormal in the systemic form, less so in the polyarticular form, and usually normal in the pauciarticular form.