Ultrasonography in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Changes in Joint-Cartilage as a Measure of Outcome in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis - Assessed by Ultrasonography and Biomarkers

The purpose of this study is to analyse the usability of ultrasonography together with biomarkers in the investigation of patients diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The investigators hypothesize that serum and urine markers of cartilage and bone synthesis and degradation, together with ultrasound measurements of joint cartilage thickness, are useful tools in the early evaluation of JIA patients, - as diagnostic, prognostic and monitoring methods.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Oligoarticular, polyarticular or systemic onset type.
• Informed consent from parents
• between 5-15 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

• Other diagnoses that involves bones or cartilage
• Intraarticular steroid injections within 1 month of the trial investigation