Periodic fever in MVK deficiency: a patient initially diagnosed with incomplete Kawasaki disease.

To access publisher's full text version of this article, please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field or click on the hyperlink at the top of the page marked Files. This article is open access.Mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder causing 1 of 2 phenotypes, hyperimmunoglobulin D syndrome and mevalonic aciduria, presenting with recurrent fever episodes, often starting in infancy, and sometimes evoked by stress or vaccinations. This autoinflammatory disease is caused by mutations encoding the mevalonate kinase (MVK) gene and is classified in the group of periodic fever syndromes. There is often a considerable delay in the diagnosis among pediatric patients with recurrent episodes of fever. We present a case of an 8-week-old girl with fever of unknown origin and a marked systemic inflammatory response. After excluding infections, a tentative diagnosis of incomplete Kawasaki syndrome was made, based on the finding of dilated coronary arteries on cardiac ultrasound and fever, and she was treated accordingly. However, the episodes of fever recurred, and alternative diagnoses were considered, which eventually led to the finding of increased excretion of mevalonic acid in urine. The diagnosis of MKD was confirmed by mutation analysis of the MVK gene. This case shows that the initial presentation of MKD can be indistinguishable from incomplete Kawasaki syndrome. When fever recurs in Kawasaki syndrome, other (auto-)inflammatory diseases must be ruled out to avoid inappropriate diagnostic procedures, ineffective interventions, and treatment delay

Managing juvenile idiopathic arthritis within the context of their life:What we learnt from children and youth living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and their parents

Introduction: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic disease in children and causes short- and long-term disability. Optimal management requires pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. Few studies have explored the youth and family experience of the management of JIA. This study's objective was to explore the management experience of youth with JIA and their parents. Methods: This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with youth 12–18 years of age with JIA receiving biological medication and parents of children with JIA on biological medication. Participants were recruited in clinics using convenience sampling. A thematic analysis approach was employed for data analysis. Results: Nine youth and 14 parents participated. Four themes were identified that encompassed an overarching theme of participants managing JIA within the context of their life: aspects of life affected by JIA and its management, lived experience with JIA management, medication decision-making, and involvement in decision-making. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis management is situated within the context of their life but is normally (outside acute events) not central. Conclusion: Two dimensions were added to those in the literature: parents' overall approaches to health and the sense of urgency surrounding decision-making. Our findings reinforce the importance of person- and family-centred care in paediatric rheumatology. That is, identifying what matters most to youth and their parents given their current life circumstances to provide a foundation for discussions of how they want to manage their JIA.</p

How autoinflammation may turn into autoimmune inflammation: Insights from monogenetic and complex IL-1 mediated auto-inflammatory diseases

IL-1 mediated auto-inflammatory diseases are characterised by episodes of unexplained fever, generalized and localized inflammation. The characteristic symptoms predominantly result from exaggerated activation of innate immune pathways. However, in some patients with typical IL-1 mediated diseases, chronic disease manifestations develop in the absence of acute inflammation, suggesting the involvement of adaptive immune pathways. We discuss clinical observations as well as novel insights in how chronic activation of innate immune pathways can lead to auto-immune disease features in patients with auto-inflammatory diseases and how we need to better understand these sequelae in order to improve treatment strategies

The clinical and experimental treatment of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic rheumatic disease in children and comprises of multiple subtypes. The most relevant disease subtypes, grouped upon current insight in disease mechanisms, are non-systemic (oligo- and poly-articular) JIA and systemic JIA (sJIA). In this review, we summarize some of the main proposed mechanisms of disease in both non-systemic and sJIA and discuss how current therapeutic modalities target some of the pathogenic immune pathways. Chronic inflammation in non-systemic JIA is the result of a complex interplay between effector and regulatory immune cell subsets, with adaptive immune cells, specifically T cell subsets and antigen presenting cells, in a central role. There is however also innate immune cell contribution. SJIA is nowadays recognized as an acquired chronic inflammatory disorder with striking auto-inflammatory features in the first phase of the disease. Some sJIA patients develop a refractory disease course, with indications for involvement of adaptive immune pathways as well. Currently, therapeutic strategies are directed at suppressing effector mechanisms in both non-systemic and sJIA. These strategies are often not yet optimally tuned nor timed to the known active mechanisms of disease in individual patients in both non-systemic and sJIA. We discuss current treatment strategies in JIA, specifically the 'Step-up' and 'Treat to Target approach' and explore how increased insight into the biology of disease may translate into future more targeted strategies for this chronic inflammatory disease at relevant time points: pre-clinical disease, active disease and clinically inactive disease

Evidence-based diagnosis and treatment of macrophage activation syndrome in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Background: Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a severe and potentially lethal complication of several inflammatory diseases but seems particularly linked to systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA). Standardized diagnostic and treatment guidelines for MAS in sJIA are currently lacking. The aim of this systematic literature review was to evaluate currently available literature on diagnostic criteria for MAS in sJIA and provide an overview of possible biomarkers for diagnosis, disease activity and treatment response and recent advances in treatment. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane. 495 papers were identified. Potentially relevant papers were selected by 3 authors after which full text screening was performed. All selected papers were evaluated by at least two independent experts for validity and level of evidence according to EULAR guidelines. Results: 27 papers were included: 7 on diagnosis, 9 on biomarkers and 11 on treatment. Systematic review of the literature confirmed that there are no validated diagnostic criteria for MAS in sJIA. The preliminary Ravelli criteria, with the addition of ferritin, performed well in a large retrospective case-control study. Recently, an international consortium lead by PRINTO proposed a new set of diagnostic criteria able to distinguish MAS from active sJIA and/or infection with superior performance. Other promising diagnostic biomarkers potentially distinguish MAS complicating sJIA from primary and virusassociated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. The highest level of evidence for treatment comes from case-series. High dose corticosteroids with or without cyclosporine A were frequently reported as first-line therapy. From the newer treatment modalities, promising responses have been reported with anakinra. Conclusion: MAS in sJIA seems to be diagnosed best by the recently proposed PRINTO criteria, although prospective validation is needed. Novel promising biomarkers for sJIA related MAS are in need of prospective validation as well, and are not widely available yet. Currently, treatment of MAS in sJIA relies more on experience than evidence based medicine. Taking into account the severity of MAS and the scarcity of evidence, early expert consultation is recommended as soon as MAS is suspected.Peer reviewe

Evidence-based diagnosis and treatment of macrophage activation syndrome in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Background: Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a severe and potentially lethal complication of several inflammatory diseases but seems particularly linked to systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA). Standardized diagnostic and treatment guidelines for MAS in sJIA are currently lacking. The aim of this systematic literature review was to evaluate currently available literature on diagnostic criteria for MAS in sJIA and provide an overview of possible biomarkers for diagnosis, disease activity and treatment response and recent advances in treatment. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane. 495 papers were identified. Potentially relevant papers were selected by 3 authors after which full text screening was performed. All selected papers were evaluated by at least two independent experts for validity and level of evidence according to EULAR guidelines. Results: 27 papers were included: 7 on diagnosis, 9 on biomarkers and 11 on treatment. Systematic review of the literature confirmed that there are no validated diagnostic criteria for MAS in sJIA. The preliminary Ravelli criteria, with the addition of ferritin, performed well in a large retrospective case-control study. Recently, an international consortium lead by PRINTO proposed a new set of diagnostic criteria able to distinguish MAS from active sJIA and/or infection with superior performance. Other promising diagnostic biomarkers potentially distinguish MAS complicating sJIA from primary and virusassociated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. The highest level of evidence for treatment comes from case-series. High dose corticosteroids with or without cyclosporine A were frequently reported as first-line therapy. From the newer treatment modalities, promising responses have been reported with anakinra. Conclusion: MAS in sJIA seems to be diagnosed best by the recently proposed PRINTO criteria, although prospective validation is needed. Novel promising biomarkers for sJIA related MAS are in need of prospective validation as well, and are not widely available yet. Currently, treatment of MAS in sJIA relies more on experience than evidence based medicine. Taking into account the severity of MAS and the scarcity of evidence, early expert consultation is recommended as soon as MAS is suspected.Peer reviewe

Withdrawing biologics in non-systemic JIA:what matters to pediatric rheumatologists?

Abstract Objective Approximately one third of children with JIA receive biologic therapy, but evidence on biologic therapy withdrawal is lacking. This study aims to increase our understanding of whether and when pediatric rheumatologists postpone a decision to withdraw biologic therapy in children with clinically inactive non-systemic JIA. Methods A survey containing questions about background characteristics, treatment patterns, minimum treatment time with biologic therapy, and 16 different patient vignettes, was distributed among 83 pediatric rheumatologists in Canada and the Netherlands. For each vignette, respondents were asked whether they would withdraw biologic therapy at their minimum treatment time, and if not, how long they would continue biologic therapy. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, logistic and interval regression analysis. Results Thirty-three pediatric rheumatologists completed the survey (40% response rate). Pediatric rheumatologists are most likely to postpone the decision to withdraw biologic therapy when the child and/or parents express a preference for continuation (OR 6.3; p < 0.001), in case of a flare in the current treatment period (OR 3.9; p = 0.001), and in case of uveitis in the current treatment period (OR 3.9; p < 0.001). On average, biologic therapy withdrawal is initiated 6.7 months later when the child or parent prefer to continue treatment. Conclusion Patient’s and parents' preferences were the strongest driver of a decision to postpone biologic therapy withdrawal in children with clinically inactive non-systemic JIA and prolongs treatment duration. These findings highlight the potential benefit of a tool to support pediatric rheumatologists, patients and parents in decision making, and can help inform its design

Managing juvenile idiopathic arthritis within the context of their life: What we learnt from children and youth living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and their parents

Introduction: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic disease in children and causes short- and long-term disability. Optimal management requires pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. Few studies have explored the youth and family experience of the management of JIA. This study's objective was to explore the management experience of youth with JIA and their parents. Methods: This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with youth 12–18 years of age with JIA receiving biological medication and parents of children with JIA on biological medication. Participants were recruited in clinics using convenience sampling. A thematic analysis approach was employed for data analysis. Results: Nine youth and 14 parents participated. Four themes were identified that encompassed an overarching theme of participants managing JIA within the context of their life: aspects of life affected by JIA and its management, lived experience with JIA management, medication decision-making, and involvement in decision-making. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis management is situated within the context of their life but is normally (outside acute events) not central. Conclusion: Two dimensions were added to those in the literature: parents' overall approaches to health and the sense of urgency surrounding decision-making. Our findings reinforce the importance of person- and family-centred care in paediatric rheumatology. That is, identifying what matters most to youth and their parents given their current life circumstances to provide a foundation for discussions of how they want to manage their JIA