Rheumatoid arthritis in adolescents, should it be treated forever?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of rheumatic disease that is often characterized by the appearance of pain and stiffness in the fingers and wrists. Most cases of rheumatoid arthritis are usually experienced by adults. Even so, this autoimmune disease can also be experienced by adolescents who are still young. For more details, I will review more about rheumatoid arthritis in adolescents.

Is it possible for rheumatoid arthritis to occur in adolescents?

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA for short, is an autoimmune rheumatic disease that can cause inflammation in the joints of the body. This disease is generally experienced by women, with initial symptoms usually appearing at the age of 30-40 years.

However, it is possible that rheumatoid arthritis can also occur in men, children, and even adolescents. As with rheumatoid arthritis in adults, the cause of RA in adolescents is also not known with certainty.

The interaction between genetic and environmental factors is thought to be the trigger for this rheumatoid arthritis. In detail, the HLA-DR 4 molecule is a genetic contributor to the cause of rheumatoid arthritis, including in adolescents.

Meanwhile, environmental factors that play a role in rheumatoid arthritis are smoking, the hormone estrogen, bacterial, viral, and microbacterial infections.

People who have the HLA-DR 4 molecule in their body are 4-5 times more likely to develop RA than people who don't have this genetic molecule.

Are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in adolescents and adults the same?

Basically, the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis that occur at a young age, such as in children and adolescents, are the same as in adults. You will usually complain of painful, stiff, and even swollen joints, especially in the fingers and wrists.

RA symptoms in the form of pain and stiffness in the hands can actually appear at any time. However, the complaints usually occur most often in the morning. After doing various physical activities, such as sweeping, washing, and others, these RA symptoms can immediately improve.

Gradually, pain, stiffness, and swelling don't just affect the hands. These complaints can develop to the knees, ankles, shoulders, elbows, and neck.

Can rheumatoid arthritis in adolescents be cured?

Rheumatoid arthritis in adolescents cannot be cured, so it will continue to carry over into adulthood. Even so, treatment as early as possible must be given immediately to prevent more severe joint defects in the future.

In addition, the goals of rheumatoid arthritis treatment from a young age are to reduce joint inflammation, manage pain, and prevent permanent joint damage.

That way, adolescents can still have normal activities like their peers, while preventing long-term complications from RA. Covers cardiovascular problems such as strokes and heart attacks.

What are the treatments for rheumatoid arthritis in adolescents?

The causes and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in adolescents may be the same as in adults. However, the treatment that adolescents get is generally different from that of adults.

Whether it's in terms of choosing the type of drug, or the dosage of the drug given. The difference in treatment for each RA patient is caused by several things, such as:

The severity of the disease.
Body condition and disease.
Previous medical history.
Treatment response. There are symptoms that can improve with just taking one type of drug with a small dose, but there are also those who need a combination of several types of drugs.
The side effects of treatment are different. There are those who drink the maximum dose but do not experience side effects, but there are also those who experience side effects even though they only drink a small dose.

In particular, there are several types of drugs that can be given to patients with rheumatoid arthritis, including adolescents. The first is DMARD (disease-modifying antirheumatic drug), and the second is the biological agent.

DMARD is a class of drugs whose job is to slow the progression of the disease, while preventing joints from being damaged and permanently damaged. Examples of these drugs include methotrexate, sulfasalcin, hydroxychloroquine, lefluonamide etc.

Meanwhile, biological agents are a class of drugs that are injected or infused into the body. This drug can provide a faster treatment effect than DMARD. Examples of these drugs include adalimumab, golimumab, toxilizumab, etanercept, infliximab, certolizumab, etc.

Besides helping to relieve pain in the joints, both types of drugs can also prevent joint damage or deformity.

Does rheumatoid arthritis treatment have to be done forever?

Yes, rheumatoid arthritis treatment, in children, adolescents, and adults must be done for life. RA cannot be completely cured, but this disease can still be controlled.

The main way is to carry out routine medication, so that rheumatoid arthritis patients can enter the remission phase. The remission phase is a condition when the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are in a stable state.

Simply put, adolescents who are in the remission phase of rheumatoid arthritis do not experience joint pain, swelling, and normal blood sedimentation rates. That is why, RA treatment is very important to be given as early as possible.

Although it cannot cure this autoimmune disease completely, the right treatment can at least control the progression of the disease. As a result, the quality of life for adolescents who have rheumatoid arthritis can be better.