Rheumatoid arthritis that develops in children is often more devastating than it is in adults. Many children that develop it can end up being bedridden or being confined to a wheelchair. However, a new drug was recently released in the UK that has helped many children with rheumatoid arthritis in gaining almost full recovery.
Rheumatoid Arthritis in Children
Arthritis in children is often a much more severe condition than it is in adults. When they develop arthritis, it affects their joints so severely that they can become bedridden or have to depend heavily on a wheelchair.
Rheumatoid arthritis in children not only affects the joints, but it can affect major organs like the heart and lungs. The condition can become severe enough that the organs fail and some children die.
To treat the condition, powerful painkillers are often given in combination with steroids used. While they might help making the condition a little bit more manageable, the treatment still produces strong side effects.
No Longer Bedridden and Almost Fully Recovered
A new drug was released recently in the UK. The drug is called tocilizumab, but is also known as RoActemra. The drug was given to 112 children, and their progress was tracked during the course of a year.
After 3 months on the tocilizumab, almost 66% of the children had improved by 70%. This was in comparison to children that were given placebo drugs. After the year of studies were complete, close to 66% of the children had improved by 90%.
Dr. Eileen Baildam was one of the researchers at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in the UK. Dr. Baildam says, “The trial results show two-thirds get a 90 percent response, which is almost complete recovery and with few side effects.”
“They have been able to get out of their wheelchairs, it’s fantastic.”
The drug, tocilizumab, is given intravenously once a month.
Preventing Blindness
Another form of arthritis, known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, can cause inflammation in the eyes. This form of arthritis is so severe that it can lead to a child losing their eyesight.
Bristol Royal Hospital for Children in the UK will be conducting a trial involving 155 children. The trial will be done over the course of 6 years. During this time, they hope to test the effectiveness of a drug, called adalimumab, in treating the arthritis and preventing blindness.
Vicky Smith is a parent that has a child taking the drug. Smith says, “This drug sorted the joints out… and has kept the eyes in check.
“When it was really bad I was going to the hospital twice a week, whereas now we’re going once a month and as a family that’s a big difference to your life.”
Sources:
Rheumatoid Arthritis in Children: Drug Treatment, 90% Recovery
Rheumatoid Arthritis in Children: No Longer Bedridden
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in Children: Preventing Blindness