Gastroduodenal lesions in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
There are few studies about gastrointestinal abnormalities in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis-probably due to the fact that this association is not frequently recognized. The aim of our study was to observe the prevalence of endoscopic gastroduodenal lesions in these patients.


METHODS
Fourteen patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, all of them using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs associated or not with methotrexate, were assessed clinically and by endoscopy. Gastric antrum biopsy and Helicobacter pylori search were also performed.


RESULTS
The mean age of the patients was 10.6 years (7 boys). Abdominal pain was observed in 27% of them. Macroscopic endoscopic lesions were found in 43% and infection by Helicobacter pylori in 57%. The correlation between anemia and endoscopic abnormalities was statistically significant (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our data show that patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis have considerable susceptibility to gastroduodenal lesions, especially if they are using any drug association and present anemia.
Len
C
C
Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, Sao Paulo Federal University-EPM, Brazil.
Hilario
M O
MO
Kawakami
E
E
Terreri
M T
MT
Becker
D J
DJ
Goldenberg
J
J
Fagundes Neto
U
U
D000293:Adolescent; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000473:pathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents