[Intra-articular steroid therapy in treatment of chronic arthritis in childhood and adolescence].
OBJECTIVE
Steroids are among the most potent antirheumatic drugs, but carry unacceptable adverse effects during long-term systemic application. In children with pauciarthritis intra-articular steroids have been recommended.


METHODS
We assessed the effect of intra-articular triamcinolone-hexacetonide in 16 joints of 12 children and adolescents with chronic arthritis unresponsive to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents.


RESULTS
All joints improved and no side effects were observed by clinical and roentgenographic means. After a follow-up of 12 months after a single injection 9 joints were without arthritis and 3 joints showed minimal effusion without limitation of motion. In 4 joints arthritis reappeared after 1, 6, 7 and 7 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Intra-articular steroid therapy is a highly effective alternative in the treatment of children and adolescents with chronic arthritis.
Huppertz
H I
HI
Kinderklinik, Universität Würzburg.
Gohlke
F
F
Horwitz
A E
AE
D000293:Adolescent; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000187:drug effects; D012008:Recurrence; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide; C005900:triamcinolone hexacetonide
Intraartikuläre Steroidtherapie in der Behandlung chronischer Arthritiden im Kindes- und Jugendalter.