Based on a recent article published in Annals of Rheumatic Diseases regarding new guidelines for the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), MDedge followed up with a report that the guidelines do not specify which medications to implement, questioning the effectiveness and accuracy of the findings.  

HSS pediatric rheumatologist Karen Brandt Onel, MD, who did not participate in the drafting of the guidelines, said "these guidelines are meant to be fluid, but we need to be committed to getting patients into remission as quickly as possible. Anything less than that is not OK."

She added that joint and organ damage resulting from JIA could be permanent.

"For whatever reason, the risk of permanent disability from childhood arthritis is understated," she noted

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