Juvenilni idiopatski artritis (JIA) najčešća je reumatska bolest u djece i jedna od najčešćih kroničnih
bolesti koja uzrokuje kratkotrajnu ili dugotrajnu invalidnost. Sam naziv defi nira i osnovne značajke ove bolesti, a to su
upala jednog ili više zglobova nepoznate etiologije, koja se javlja prije navršene 16. godine života i traje najmanje 6
tjedana. Rijetko se javlja prije šestog mjeseca života, a najčešća je u predškolskoj dobi između prve i treće godine života.
JIA nije jedinstvena bolest, nego skupina bolesti s nekim zajedničkim značajkama koje se međusobno razlikuju prema
imunopatogenezi, ali i prema kliničkim manifestacijama. Prema revidiranoj ILAR-ovoj (engl. International League of
Associations for Rheumatology) klasifi kaciji, dijeli se u 8 podtipova, no s novim saznanjima u genetici i imunologiji
klasifi kacija će zasigurno doživjeti daljnje promjene i nadopune. Kako napreduju istraživanja patogeneze JIA, tako se
javljaju i bitni pomaci u liječenju ove bolesti. Cilj takvog liječenja više nije samo suzbijanje boli, već zaustavljanje i liječenje
upale, čime se sprječava nastanak ireverzibilnih promjena na zglobovima i trajne invalidnosti. Biološki su lijekovi
znatno pridonijeli boljoj prognozi ove bolesti.Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic disorder in children and one of the
most common causes of part-time or long-term disability. Th e term juvenile idiopathic arthritis defi nes the main characteristics
of the disease: joint infl ammation of unknown origin manifested before the 16th birthday and lasting for more
than six weeks. JIA is very rare in infancy, with highest frequency in preschool age. It is not a single disease, but a group
of disorders with some common features of diff erent immunopathogenesis and with diff erent clinical manifestations. According
to the revised International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) criteria, JIA is classifi ed into 8
subtypes, but this classifi cation is still a “work in progress“ because with new knowledge gained in genetics and immunology,
the classifi cation will obviously have to be changed and refi ned. New research of the disease pathogenesis is the basis
for the development of new and better treatments for JIA. Th e goal of such treatments is not just to relieve pain, but also
to control infl ammation and stop irreversible joint damage and long-term disability. Biological agents have signifi cantly
improved the disease prognosis
