The juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that causes the inflammation of joints in younger children. There are three main categories of the inflammatory disease of joints, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis such as pauciarticular JRA, polyarticular JRA and systemic JRA. Gout is a condition resulting from the depositions of uric acid crystals in the tissues. This disorder affects one or two joints at a time, most commonly the joints of ankles and feet.
Misleading response by the immune system of the body is the main cause of JRA. Some bacterial or viral infections and presence of HLA-B27 genetic marker are other possible causes of this disease. On the other hand, people with higher levels of uric acid, obesity, high intake of food containing purines, high alcohol intake and abnormal kidney function are at higher risk of gout. Pain, swelling and stiffness of the joints are the most common symptoms of JRA. While, common symptoms of gouty arthritis are inflammation, pain, swelling, redness and tenderness of the joints.
Treatments for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis are aimed to reduce the joint pain and prevent disability. Various options available for the treatment of JRA include the medications, different therapies and surgical options. Medications used for the treatment of JRA include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen which reduce swelling and pain in joints, COX-2 inhibitors like celecoxib, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) including sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) and methotrexate (Rheumatrex) and corticosteroids.
In addition to these medications, other therapies such as massage or acupuncture can be used as the treatments for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The occupational therapy and physical therapy is helpful to maintain the flexibility of joints, improve the range of motion and muscle tone. Some children with persistent pauciarticular JRA may get the benefit from the steroid injections given into the joints. In severe cases, joint replacement surgery is suggested for the treatments for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Prevention is very important in case of gouty arthritis which involves weight control, maintaining adequate fluid intake, reduction in alcohol consumption, dietary changes and medications to control hyperuricemia. The medications for the treatment of gout include analgesics like acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like naproxen (Naprosyn) and indomethacin (Indocin), colchicine and corticosteroids like prednisone. Besides these drugs, medications such as sulfinpyrazone (Anturane) and probenecid (Benemid) which decrease the levels of uric acid are also used to minimize the risk of recurrent attacks of gouty arthritis.
Few dietary changes such as avoiding the foods containing purines may be helpful to decrease the uric acid levels. Reducing excessive body weight can be beneficial to lower the risk of attacks of gouty arthritis. Besides this, application of ice pack may help to reduce pain and inflammation.
