title: Growing up with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
abstract: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic pediatric illness in the United States. The disease encompasses a group of heterogeneous chronic arthritis conditions that begin before age 16 years and persist for more than 6 weeks. Formerly termed juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), JIA now includes polyarticular, oligoarticular, psoriatic, enthesitis-related arthritis, systematic arthritis, and undifferentiated arthritis. Diagnosis is based on clinical and laboratory features. Treatment includes immunosuppressant therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDS), and biologic therapies. This can affect all aspects of an adolescent's life including physiologic, psychosocial, and spiritual components; therefore, this article discusses a comprehensive approach to care management with transition of care as a critical feature in adolescent healthcare.
authors.affiliation: Amy McKeever is an Assistant Professor, Villanova University, College of Nursing, Villanova, PA. She can be reached via e-mail at amy.mckeever@villanova.edu Michelle M. Kelly is an Assistant Professor, Villanova University, College of Nursing, Villanova, PA. She can be reached via e-mail at michelle.m.kelly@villanova.edu.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McKeever
authors.forename: Michelle M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D000069341:Transitional Care