Intra-articular steroids in pauciarticular juvenile chronic arthritis, type 1.

The use of intra-articular steroids in one or both knees was evaluated in 21 children with type 1 pauciarticular juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). The beneficial effect of the injection was noted within 3 days with no significant adverse reactions. Remission exceeding 6 months was seen in 70% of the knees and the arthritis remained inactive during the follow up period in 37%. The beneficial effect of the injection did not correlate with sex, age of onset or the presence of antinuclear antibodies or HLA-B27 antigen and there was no relationship with the size of involved joints at onset, the ESR at onset, or the presence of uveitis. Intra-articular corticosteroids in this type of JCA may provide prompt relief of swelling and pain and reduce the need for other forms of therapy. Remission was long lasting in the majority of the children.