Optic neuritis in juvenile idiopathic arthritis patient

Author(s)

Daniela MR Lourenço ^[1] ; Izabel M Buscatti ^[2] ; Benito Lourenço ^[3] ; Fernanda C Monti ^[4] ; José Albino Paz ^[5] ; Clovis A Silva

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina. Departamento de Pediatria - Brasil

^[2] Universidade São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina. Departamento de Pediatria - Brasil

^[3] Universidade São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina. Departamento de Pediatria - Brasil

^[4] Universidade São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina. Departamento de Neurologia - Brasil

^[5] Universidade São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina. Departamento de Neurologia - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE REUMATOLOGIA; v. 54, n. 6, p. 486-489, 2014-12-00.

Abstract

Optic neuritis (ON) was rarely reported in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients, particularly in those under anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha blockage. However, to our knowledge, the prevalence of ON in JIA population has not been studied. Therefore, 5793 patients were followed up at our University Hospital and 630 (11%) had JIA. One patient (0.15%) had ON and was reported herein. A 6-year-old male was diagnosed with extended oligoarticular JIA, and received naproxen and methotrexate subsequently replaced by leflunomide. At 11 years old, he was diagnosed with aseptic meningitis, followed by a partial motor seizure with secondary generalization. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalogram showed diffuse disorganization of the brain electric activity and leflunomide was suspended. Seven days later, the patient presented acute ocular pain, loss of acuity for color, blurred vision, photophobia, redness and short progressive visual loss in the right eye. A fundoscopic exam detected unilateral papilledema without retinal exudates. Orbital MRI suggested right ON. The anti-aquaporin 4 (anti-AQP4) antibody was negative. Pulse therapy with methylprednisolone was administered for five days, and subsequently with prednisone, he had clinical and laboratory improvement. In conclusion, a low prevalence of ON was observed in our JIA population. The absence of anti-AQP4 antibody and the normal brain MRI do not exclude the possibility of demyelinating disease associated with chronic arthritis. Therefore, rigorous follow up is required. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/12471-2 - Ovarian reserve, antibody anti-corpus luteum and lower genital tract infection in adult women with systemic lupus erythematosus, Behçet's syndrome and Takayasu's arteritis
• Grantee: Clovis Artur Almeida da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 08/58238-4 - Autoimmunity in children: investigation of the molecular and cellular bases of early onset of autoimmunity
• Grantee: Magda Maria Sales Carneiro-Sampaio
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants