[Biologics for treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Consensus statement of the 7th Wörlitzer Expertengespräche 2004 for the German Arbeitsgemeinschaft Kinder- und Jugendrheumatologie]

Abstract

The group of biologics for the treatment of rheumatic diseases is continuously growing. They have become an important option not only for treatment of so far untreatable chronic inflammatory or rheumatic disease, but also for juvenile idiopathic arthritis. In addition, the velocity and the degree of improvement is better than with to conventional therapies. Furthermore, toxicity and risks seem to be lower with higher safety and compatibility. Although the data are scarce, they are widely used. Therefore, the German Arbeitsgemeinschaft Kinder- und Jugendrheumatologie is updating the current recommendation for the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis using biologics.