Juvenile spondyloarthropathies.

This paper reviews the recent literature on the juvenile spondyloarthropathies. Several case reports emphasized clinical characteristics of the spondyloarthropathies including reactive arthritis. MR imaging seemed to enhance the detection of sacroiliitis in children with spondyloarthropathies. The presence of different cytokines in various forms of juvenile arthritis including the juvenile spondyloarthropathies was investigated and suggested a role for the anti-inflammatory cytokines in milder disease. Evidence for the association of low-molecular-weight polypeptide gene polymorphism with susceptibility to acute anterior uveitis was found in a Mexican population of patients with spondyloarthropathies, including 80 with juvenile spondyloarthropathy. A review of therapeutic use of sulfasalazine in children with chronic arthritis, including those with juvenile spondyloarthropathy, concluded that it was safe and effective. Last, a study assessed aerobic fitness and physical activity in patients with juvenile spondyloarthropathy in remission and suggested a decline in physical fitness in older patients.