Juvenile Arthritis: Late Diagnosis - Lifelong Consequences

Juvenile Arthritis
Late Diagnosis – Lifelong Consequences

The average time from symptom onset to diagnosis of juvenile arthritis is 10 months, with lifelong consequences such as lifelong disability, pain, lost schooling, social isolation, mental health challenges, and dependence.
Juvenile arthritis, or Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), is chronic joint inflammation of unknown cause in children under 16 years. JIA is a common, painful, and potentially debilitating autoimmune disease affecting joints and sometimes the eyes, skin, muscles, and internal organs. If undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to chronic pain, permanent joint damage, or vision loss.
JIA affects 1 to 4 in every 1,000 Australian children under 161 and up to 30,000 young Australians under 24, making it as common as diabetes in this age group2. Despite its prevalence, the average time to diagnosis remains 10 months, unchanged in 25 years3,4. This delay closes the window for early remission, contributing to lifelong consequences.
Families face over $4,000 annually in out-of-pocket costs, with government healthcare costs exceeding $24,000 per person annually which is higher than comparable chronic childhood diseases4.

Can pain and complications be prevented? 
Early diagnosis is crucial to reducing lifelong pain and disability from JIA. Effective treatment is available, and access to appropriate care significantly improves outcomes.
 

What can I do? 
Treatment aims to drive inflammation into remission before damage occurs. Healthcare professionals can help by recognising the signs and symptoms of JIA and ensuring prompt referral to a paediatric rheumatologist.
Learn more about JIA at jafa.org.au/hcphub.
 

References
1. Sinnappurajar P, Chaitow J. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis - a new outlook. Medicine Today 2023; 24(10): 12-19.
2. AIHW 2023: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/juvenile-arthritis
3. Manners P. Diagnostic Dilemma: delays in diagnosing juvenile arthritis. MJA 1999; 171: 367-369.
4. The IMPACT Study: Bond DM, Von Huben A, Lain S, Colagiuri R, Colagiuri S, Nassar N. Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Australia, Sydney, 2023: http://www.jafa.org.au/impactstudyreport