Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (PJIA) and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) are types of
juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), a chronic form of arthritis in children. PJIA is characterized by inflammation
in five or more joints within the first six months of the disease, while in SJIA, many of the signs and symptoms
(such as rash and fever) affect the whole body, and not just the joints.1
Who gets PJIA & SJIA?
Of the estimated 300,0002 in the U.S. diagnosed with JIA...
PJIA affects about 30% of children with arthritis and is more common in girls than boys 2,3
SJIA affects about 10% of children with arthritis. Although symptoms can start at any time during childhood, SJIA symptoms generally emerge by elementary school years2
There is no cure for PJIA or SJIA
The goals of treatment are to help relieve inflammation, control pain and improve your child's quality of life.2 Most treatment plans involve a combination of the following:1,2
Doctor visits
Exercise
Medications
Nutrition/healthy eating
Eye care
The symptoms of PJIA and SJIA vary from person to person and can change on a daily basis. Symptoms may include:1,2
1National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Juvenile Arthritis.https://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Juv_Arthritis/default.asp#7 [Last accessed: December 16, 2016].
2Arthritis Foundation. Juvenile Arthritis.http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/juvenile-idiopathic-arthritis-jia/ [Last accessed: December 16, 2016].
3Macaubas,Claudia et all. Oligoarticular and polyarticular JIA: epidemiology and pathogenesis. Nature Reviews. 2009 vl 5.