TREATMENT OF JUVENILE RHEUMATOID PAUCIART HRITIS WITH SULFASALAZINE

Objective: To prove the response and side effects of sulphasalazine in early and late onset juvenile pauciarthritis, also the therapeutic ef fect dependent on the marker HLA B27. Methods: 48 patients between the age of 3 to 16 years were included in the retrospective study, median age 11,8 years. Mean time of follow-up was 64 week;. 8 children had e arly onset pauciarthritis, 40 had late onset pauciarthritis. The dosag e of sulpbasalazine was 30-50 mg/kg/d. Clinical and laboratory disease activity were documented. Results: Partial and complete remission wer e observed in 3 of 8 patients with early onset pauciarthritis and in 2 7 of 40 patients with late onset pauciarthritis.The best response was noted in children with HLA B27 associated late onset pauciarthritis in 21 of 27 cases, in HLA B27 negative late onset pauciarthritis only 6/ 13 responded (p<0.05). Side effects were seen in 7 out of 48 patients and had been reversible. Conclusion: The best response in the treatmen t with sulphasalazine was noted in HLA B27 associated tate onset pauci arthritis. In general sulphsalazine is well tolerated, documented side effects had been reversible.