Calcium and D for Juvenile Arthritis

FLORENCE, ItalyScientists studying in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) found reduced spine bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) in most patients . They found even the most current drugs were not improving the conditions of this disease.

Patients with JIA have a low bone mass and, after a first increase due to therapy, do not reach a healthy condition over time despite our current more effective drugs. These patients have a high risk of osteoporosis in early adulthood, they concluded. To reduce the risk and improve the bone mass, close monitoring of bone mineral density, better control of disease activity, physical activity, and intake of calcium and vitamin D are recommended.

Their finding were reported online ahead of print in the Journal of Rheumatology.