Polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (polyarthritis)

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Polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (polyarthritis)

Polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), also known as polyarthritis, affects five or more joints during the first 6 months of symptoms. This type of JRA is more severe than pauciarticular JRA (oligoarthritis) because it affects more joints and tends to get worse over time.

Polyarticular JRA often begins in large joints, such as the knee or hip, but may start in the small joints of the hands and fingers. It also may affect the knees, ankles, feet, neck, and jaw.

Symptoms of polyarticular JRA usually affect the same joints on both sides of the body, such as the joints of both hands. A child with polyarthritis may also develop:

Joint damage (erosion).
Whole-body (systemic) symptoms, such as weakness, fever, and rash.
Small bumps under the skin (rheumatoid nodules), especially at pressure points such as the elbows or heels.

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Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

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Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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