Analysis of childhood reactive arthritis and comparison with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
There is currently no agreement on how to classify and diagnose reactive arthritis (ReA) and what kind of clinical and laboratory findings are specific for the diagnosis. This study retrospectively analyzed the initial clinical manifestations and laboratory findings in children diagnosed with ReA and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). A comparison was also made between these two groups to see if there were differences. A retrospective chart review was performed and 44 patients diagnosed with ReA and 80 patients with JIA were enrolled in this study. Their initial clinical manifestations and laboratory findings were also analyzed and compared. The initial clinical manifestations in ReA were analyzed including the demographic data, the preceding infection history, the duration of the infectious episode to the onset of arthritis, the duration of arthritic symptoms, and the involved joint pattern. Comparison of the initial laboratory findings between patients with ReA and JIA showed significant differences between erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) in the first hour, platelet counts (p < 0.05), and ESR in the second hour (p = 0.052). Further, comparing ReA with the subtypes of JIA, significant differences were noted between ReA and the systemic type in terms of hemoglobin level, platelet counts, C-reactive protein, and first and second hour ESR (p < 0.05). However, if compared with the polyarticular or pauciarticular type, only the platelet counts showed any significant statistical difference (p < 0.05). This study summarizes clinical experiences in ReA. The differences in laboratory findings of ReA and JIA may provide a clue in making a differential diagnosis.
Liang
Tien-Chi
TC
Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Republic of China.
Hsu
Chen-Tong
CT
Yang
Yao-Hsu
YH
Lin
Yu-Tsan
YT
Chiang
Bor-Luen
BL
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016918:Arthritis, Reactive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011336:Probability; D011379:Prognosis; D000091402:Prohibitins; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution
C000717331:PHB2 protein, human; D000091402:Prohibitins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein