Juvenile Arthritis

By MC Kelby HERWriter

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Last night, my husband and I were glued to CBS’s 60 Minutes episode titled “The Hard Cases.” 60 Minutes highlighted a health vignette on the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) Undiagnosed Disease Program in Bethesda, Maryland.

In February 2010, I wrote a column featuring this one-of-a-kind program The Undiagnosed Diseases Program which is under Dr. William Gahl.

In one week, the NIH program will conduct one to two years of testing on patients who have a disease which has been undiagnosed.

Did I mention this program is free once you are accepted by Dr. Gahl? Some of the patients have had their undiagnosed diseases for decades. Yes, decades.

During the segment, they featured a 19 year-old by the name of Matthew Parker. Parker was a budding tennis phenomenon and has been bedridden with joint pain since 15.

According to 60 Minutes, “Matthew was once a promising tennis player. Today, he can barely move, crippled by joint pain so severe it hurts to chew his food.”

I was absolutely dumbfounded by this handsome stalwart young man’s story and how he could barely move due to joint pain. I grabbed my laptop to research if teenagers could succumb to arthritis at such an early age.

In my research, the Arthritis Foundation revealed, “Juvenile arthritis (JA) is an umbrella term used to describe the many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that can develop in children ages 16 and younger.”

There are several types of juvenile arthritis. According to Arthritis Today magazine these types of JA include:

• Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
• Oligoarthritis
• Polyarthritis
• Systemic
• Enthesitis-related
• Juvenile Psoriatic Arthritis

If you have a loved one who is afflicted with JA, there is a book available which details the different types of JA, types of treatment available, as well as some background on medications available for those suffering with JA.

The book title, “Raising A Child With Arthritis: A Parent's Guide,” is $14.95 and available at this link http://www.afstore.org/Products-By-Topic/Juvenile-Arthritis/RAISING-A-CHILD-WITH-ARTHRITIS/

The Arthritis Foundation website stated, “The book covers the latest in juvenile arthritis research and addresses the financial concerns, school challenges and other issues your family may face. You'll also read personal stories from real people sharing personal triumph and tips for success. The book's appendix includes helpful worksheets, charts and a list of additional resources. Raising A Child With Arthritis: A Parent's Guide must-have resource for parents of children with arthritis."

In the case of Parker, he was not diagnosed with JA but with a rare disorder where genes are missing from his DNA.

If you are interested in learning more about the program highlighted on 60 Minutes you can go to http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57437577/hard-cases-investigating-rare-tough-diseases/?tag=contentMain;cbsCarousel/

or if you are interested in learning more about JA you can go to the Arthritis Foundation’s website at http://www.arthritis.org/what-is-juvenile-arthritis.php/

References:

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis | Polyarthritis | Arthritis Today. Arthritis | Arthritis Today Magazine | Arthritis Foundation. Retrieved May 21, 2012, from http://www.arthritistoday.org/conditions/juvenile-arthritis/all-about-ja/what-is-juvenile-arthritis.php

Kelby, M. The Undiagnosed Diseases Program - Skin, Hair & Nails Article by MC Kelby. Women's Health & Wellness Social Community - Health Info & Resources. Retrieved May 21, 2012, from
https://www.empowher.com/skin-hair-nails/content/undiagnosed-diseases-program

RAISING A CHILD WITH ARTHRITIS -- A Parent's Guide : Arthritis Foundation Book. Arthritis Foundation Store. Retrieved May 21, 2012, from http://www.afstore.org/Products-By-Topic/Juvenile-Arthritis/RAISING-A-CHILD-WITH-ARTHRITIS

What is Juvenile Arthritis. Arthritis Foundation. Retrieved May 21, 2012, from http://www.arthritis.org/what-is-juvenile-arthritis.php

(2012, May 21). 60 Minutes [Television broadcast]. New York: CBS.

Reviewed May 21, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.