Intra-articular corticosteroids in the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Safety, efficacy, and features affecting outcome. A comprehensive review of the literature

Review

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Author: Alisa Carman Gotte

Published Date May 2009 Volume 2009:1 Pages 37 - 49

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/OARRR.S5103

Alisa Carman Gotte

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dallas, TX, USA

Abstract: Intra-articular corticosteroid injection (IACI) has been used in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis in adults for over fifty years. Over the last two decades, IACI has become an important tool in the management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), particularly in the oligoarthritis subset of JIA. Many factors may affect the efficacy of this treatment modality, although the majority of evidence on this topic is anecdotal, nonconvincing, or conflicting. The review examines the rationale, efficacy, safety, and application of the use of IACI in the treatment of JIA, focusing on factors that affect the outcome following IACI.

Keywords: juvenile idiopathic arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, glucocorticoids, treatment, children