Gastroduodenal lesions in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There are few studies about gastrointestinal abnormalities in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis - probably due to the fact that this association is not frequently recognized. The aim of our study wa s to observe the prevalence of endoscopic gastroduodenal lesions in these p atients. METHODOLOGY: Fourteen patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, all of t hem using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs associated or not with meth otrexate, were assessed clinically and by endoscopy. Gastric antrum biopsy and Helicobacter pylori search were also performed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 10.6 years (7 boys). Abdominal pa in was observed in 27% of them. Macroscopic endoscopic lesions were found i n 43% and infection by Helicobacter pylori in 57%. The correlation between anemia and endoscopic abnormalities was statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis have considerable susceptibility to gastroduodenal lesions, especially if they are using any drug association and present anemia.