Early detection of severe disease in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (MAPJAG)

Status: Ongoing

Chronic arthritis of children, known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), affects 1 in 10,000 children, and is one of the leading causes of childhood-acquired disability. While some children experience self-limiting episodes of joint inflammation (pain and swelling), others develop a severe form of arthritis that can persist into adulthood.

Understanding the disease mechanisms responsible for the persistence of joint inflammation will allow us to develop more targeted and effective treatments to be used early in the course of the disease, in order to prevent joint damage and disability.

We will use ultrasound to help us to obtain synovial tissue from the lining of inflamed joints using keyhole techniques. These synovial tissue samples along with synovial fluid and peripheral blood will allow us to better understand the underlying mechanisms of disease severity, progression and treatment response.