CLINICAL AND LABORATORY ASSESSMENT OF JUVENILE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS IN CHILDREN
Abstract
Background: Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA), also known as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), is the most common chronic rheumatic disease in children, leading to significant morbidity and long-term disability. Early and accurate assessment of clinical and laboratory parameters is crucial for prognosis and treatment strategy. This study evaluates the clinical and laboratory profiles of children diagnosed with JRA at the Department of Cardiorheumatology, Tashkent State Medical University. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 120 children (aged 1-16 years) fulfilling the ILAR criteria for JIA. Patients were assessed for clinical manifestations (articular and extra-articular) and laboratory parameters, including inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP), autoantibodies (RF, ANA), and cytokine profiles (IL-6, TNF-α). Disease activity was measured using the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS-27). Results: The cohort comprised 68 girls (56.7%) and 52 boys (43.3%). Oligoarticular onset was most frequent (45%), followed by polyarticular RF-negative (30%). Elevated ESR (>20 mm/hr) was observed in 85% of active cases. ANA positivity was highest in oligoarticular JRA (65%). A significant positive correlation was found between IL-6 levels and JADAS-27 (r=0.72, p<0.01). Uveitis was detected in 12% of ANA-positive patients. Conclusion: Combined clinical and laboratory assessment, particularly including IL-6 and ANA, provides a robust framework for evaluating disease activity and predicting complications in children with JRA. The findings underscore the need for routine laboratory surveillance in pediatric rheumatology practice in Central Asia.
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