A Nordic screening guideline for juvenile idiopathic arthritis-related uveitis.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this perspective was to shed light on screening of uveitis among Nordic children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

METHODS

A literature search was conducted to review predictors of JIA-uveitis and previous JIA-uveitis screening recommendations.

RESULTS

Predictors of uveitis in JIA are younger age and positive antinuclear antibody titre at onset of JIA, specific subtypes of JIA (extended and persistent oligoarthritis, rheumatoid factor negative polyarthritis and psoriatic arthritis) and short duration of JIA. Methotrexate and monoclonal tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor treatment reduce the risk JIA-uveitis.

CONCLUSION

Children with all of the above risk factors should be screened frequently but if they receive TNF inhibitor or methotrexate therapy, they may be screened less frequently. Children with none of the risk factors do not benefit from long-term screening for uveitis. A guideline for intervals and overall length of screening was prepared considering currently known risk factors for JIA-uveitis, the Nordic population and previous guidelines.