INFLIXIMAB IN TREATMENT OF ACTIVE JUVENILE ARTHRITIS

The article includes the results of observation of patients with resistant forms of juvenile arthritis, who have received treatment with infliximab in the period of time since 2004 till 2011. The drug was administered to 41 patients: 19 with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, 6 with articulate form and 16 with juvenile spondiloarthritis. It was given intravenous (drop at a time), at first in dosage 3–5 mg/kg according to the scheme 0, 2, 6 and then every 8 weeks. The best efficacy was noted in juvenile spondiloarthritis and articulate form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. By the 12 th month of the observation all the patients in these groups have achieved good results, corresponding with 70 % of improvement according to pediatric criteria of the American College of Rheumatologists. In patients with systemic arthritis a moderate positive effect was seen in first two months of treatment. By the 6th month the signs of disease have not significantly differ from those before Infliximab administration.