Clinic and Prognosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Children

作者：G. Edstöm, Per Olof Gedda · 发表于：Acta Rheumatologica Scandinavica · 年份：1957 · DOI：10.3109/rhe1.1957.3.issue-1-4.18 · 被引用次数：38 · 研究领域：Autoimmune and Inflammatory Disorders Research、Musculoskeletal Disorders and Rehabilitation、Rheumatoid Arthritis Research and Therapies

SummaryA series of 90 cases of rheumatoid arthritis in children below 15 years, treated in the Rheumatological Department of the University Hospital, Lund, Sweden, before 1951 were re-examined after an interval of at least 5 years. The material contained more than twice as many girls as boys, namely 70 per cent and 30 per cent respectively. Typical Still's disease was uncommon (5 cases).Involvement of the larger joints, particularly knee joints, at the onset was more frequent than in adults. The process often began as monarthritis. In girls above 12 years, the involvement of small joints tended to become as frequent as in adults.In addition to the arthritic symptoms, the onset is marked by insidious subfebrility, a moderate increase in the E.S.R., moderate hypochromic anemia and eosinophilia as well as signs of myocardial injury. Skin and ocular manifestations are common. Peritendinitis and subcutaneous nodules are sometimes seen.There is often a marked tendency to flexion contractures. Movement treatment, plaster bandage, pin-traction, and joint splints are therefore important to avoid permanent defects and invalidity. In the present series internal therapy still consisted mainly of chrysotherapy as well as salicylic preparations — antihistamines and more modern hormone treatment. Blood transfusions were often used. Since the recent introduction of hormone therapy this treatment has been the rule in the management of typical cases of Still's disease.The prognosis appears to ...