Symptoms and Causes
What are the symptoms of oligoarthritis?
Symptoms of oligoarthritis affect four or fewer joints ranging in severity for each person diagnosed with the condition. Symptoms could include:
-blurry vision
-fatigue
-joint discomfort
-joint stiffness
-tender or swollen joints
What causes oligoarthritis?
Oligoarthritis is a type of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The term “idiopathic” refers to an unknown cause. Some studies suggest that the condition results from a genetic mutation activated by a virus or bacteria, but research is ongoing.
Does oligoarthritis spread to other joints?
In some cases, oligoarthritis can spread to other joints in the body over time. Each case is unique to the person diagnosed with the condition. Not every case of oligoarthritis spreads to other joints, and the condition can range from mild to severe.
Diagnosis and Tests
How is oligoarthritis diagnosed?
A child’s healthcare provider will diagnose oligoarthritis after performing a complete medical history, which includes learning about their symptoms, the duration and severity of the symptoms, understanding their medical history and performing a physical exam on the affected joints. The physician’s exam focuses on ruling out conditions with similar symptoms leading to the child’s diagnosis.
To confirm the diagnosis, the physician might order imaging tests like an X-ray or an MRI to see the affected joints. They might also order a laboratory test like urine, blood or joint fluid test to determine what is causing the child’s symptoms.
If symptoms affect the child’s vision, the physician will recommend they see an ophthalmologist for an eye exam to check for inflammation of the eye (uveitis).
Management and Treatment
How is oligoarthrirtis treated?
Treatment for oligoarthritis addresses symptoms to reduce inflammation, prevent joint damage and increase joint mobility.
Treatment could include:
-Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
-Corticosteroids
-Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
-Biologics
-Physical and occupational therapy
Any side effects of the treatment?
A child’s provider will monitor the effectiveness of the treatment they prescribe to reduce side effects, especially if the child is taking corticosteroid pills. Long-term corticosteroids can weaken bones and interfere with their normal growth pattern throughout childhood.
NSAIDs can cause an upset stomach or nausea, so the provider will recommend the child to take NSAIDs with food to prevent side effects.
How can one prevent oligoarthritis?
Since the cause of oligoarthritis is unknown, there’s no way to prevent the condition.
What to expect if we have a child with oligoarthritis?
Oligoarthritis affects the joints in a child’s body, which could make it difficult for him to be active like other children their age, especially without treatment. Most children outgrow the condition as they enter adulthood. Some children will experience more joint discomfort as they age in other parts of their body. Treatment reduces joint pain and stiffness and physical therapy improves a child’s mobility to allow them to move without restriction.
