Hope for kids who suffer from juvenile arthritis

Hope for children who suffer from severe juvenile arthritis as new drug is approved.

 

Juvenile arthritis is an incurable inflammatory joint condition that affects about 2,300 kids in Britain; coming on suddenly, the disease affects five or more joints, and cause stiffness, swelling, pain and limited movement.

 

After 40 weeks of treatment with the drug RoActemra (tocilizumab), “two-thirds of those aged between two and 16 with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) saw a 70 per cent improvement in symptoms, compared with those taking a placebo.”

 

Previously used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in adults, it was licensed to pJIA after children who were given the drug showed signs of improvement in the disease. Judi Rhys, chief executive of the Arthritis Care Charity, says: “This is fantastic news for children as it offers them hope for the future.”

 

The drug works by blocking an immune system messenger that causes fever and inflammation in the joints and organ.

 

Lead consultant in paediatric rheumatology at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Dr. Athimalaipet Ramannan, says: “The fact that the drug will now be readily available for patients across the UK gives hope to hundreds of children that doing the things that other kids do in their day- to-day lives may soon be a reality.”