ObjectiveIn children with enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA), the hip and sacroiliac joint function might be impaired if not properly treated. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) therapy using the inflammatory indicators, Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score 27 (JADAS27) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodsWe conducted a single-center retrospective study of 134 patients with ERA. We evaluated the effect of anti-TNF therapy on the inflammatory indicators, active joint count, MRI quantitative score, and JADAS27 over 18 months. We used the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) and the Hip Inflammation MRI Scoring System (HIMRISS) scoring systems for hip and sacroiliac joints scoring.ResultsThe average age of onset of children with ERA was 11.62 ± 1.95 years, and they were treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) combined with biologics (n = 87, 64.93%). There were no differences in HLA-B27 positivity between the biologics and non-biologics treatment groups [66 (49.25%) vs. 68 (50.75%), P > 0.05]. Children who received anti-TNF (71 received etanercept, 13 adalimumab, 2 golimumab, and 1 infliximab) therapy improved significantly. Children with ERA used DMARDs and biologics at baseline (Group A) were followed up to 18 months, and their active joint count (4.29 ± 1.99 vs. 0.76 ± 1.33, P = 0.000), JADAS27 (13.70 ± 4.80 vs. 4.53 ± 4.52, P = 0.000) and MRI quantitative scores (P = 0.001) were significantly lower than those at baseline. Some of the patients (n = 13, 9.70%) were treated with DMARDs at the onset of the disease, but did not show significant improvement (Group B). After 6−18 months of switching to anti-TNF therapy, related indicators of the children were significantly lower than at baseline and 1 month (P < 0.013). At 18 months, a total of 33 patients (n = 74, 44.59%) in Group A and 7 (n = 13, 53.85%) in Group B reached inactive state.ConclusionEighteen months after diagnosis, anti-TNF therapy was found to be effective in children diagnosed with ERA. MRI is important for the early diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. TNF-α inhibitors can significantly improve the clinical manifestations of sacroiliac joint and hip involvement in patients with ERA. Overall, the real-world study provides more evidence for precision diagnosis and treatment for other hospitals, families and patients.

Background Axial involvement in children with enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) has characteristics that differ from those of peripheral involvement. This study characterized their clinical characteristics and treatment. Methods Patients with ERA at the Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2018 and December 2020 were included. The ERA cohort was divided into two based on the presence or absence of axial joint involvement. Demographic characteristics, clinical features, and treatments were described and compared. Results In total, 105 children with ERA were enrolled (axial ERA, n = 57; peripheral ERA, n = 48). The age at disease onset of the axial group tended to be higher (11.93 ± 1.72 vs. 11.09 ± 1.91 years) and the diagnosis delay was bigger in patients with axial ERA (10.26 ± 11.66 months vs. 5.13 ± 7.92 months). The inflammatory marker levels were significantly higher in patients with axial. There were no differences in HLA-B27 positivity between the groups (34 [59.65%] vs. 28 [58.33%], P > 0.05). Hip involvement was more frequent in the axial group (52.63% vs 27.08%; X2 = 7.033). A total of 38 (66.67%) and 10 (20.83%) patients with axial and peripheral ERA, respectively, were treated with biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) at diagnosis. The administration of biologics increased gradually in the axial ERA group, peaking at 18 months and decreasing thereafter, whereas that in the peripheral ERA group peaked at 6 months and began to decline thereafter. Conclusions Axial ERA is a persistent active disease and requires a more aggressive treatment. Classification and early recognition of axial involvement may help with timely diagnosis and appropriate management.

Background: Axial involvement in children with enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) has characteristics that differ from those of peripheral involvement. This study characterized their clinical characteristics and treatment. Methods: Patients with ERA at the Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2018 and December 2020 were included. The ERA cohort was divided into two based on the presence or absence of axial joint involvement. Demographic characteristics, clinical features, and treatments were described and compared. Results: In total, 105 children with ERA were enrolled (axial ERA, n=57; peripheral ERA, n=48). The age at disease onset of the axial group tended to be higher (11.93 ± 1.72 vs. 11.09 ± 1.91 years) and the diagnosis delay was bigger in patients with axial ERA (10.26 ± 11.66 months vs. 5.13±7.92 months). The inflammatory marker levels were significantly higher in patients with axial. There were no differences in HLA-B27 positivity between the groups (34 [59.65%] vs. 28 [58.33%], P>0.05). Hip involvement was more frequent in the axial group (52.63% vs 27.08%; X2=7.033). A total of 38 (66.67%) and 10 (20.83%) patients with axial and peripheral ERA, respectively, were treated with biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) at diagnosis. The administration of biologics increased gradually in the axial ERA group, peaking at 18 months and decreasing thereafter, whereas that in the peripheral ERA group peaked at 6 months and began to decline thereafter. Conclusions: Axial ERA is a persistent active disease and requires a more aggressive treatment. Classification and early recognition of axial involvement may help with timely diagnosis and appropriate management.