Still's Disease: Affecting Children & Adults

Still's Disease, discovered by English physician Sir George Frederic Still, which is a form of arthritis characterized by severe fevers and sporadic rashes. Initially, Still's Disease was thought to only occur in children but is now – though with less frequency – in adults, which is referred to as adult-onset of Still's Disease.

Though the cause of Still's Disease is still unknown, there are schools of thought that believe that Still's Disease is brought on by an auto-immune disorder or micro biotic infection. Still's Disease is classified as a type of a systemic juvenile arthritis that produces joint inflammation, high fevers, swelling glands, and other types of internal organ discomfort. Other symptoms include extreme bouts of fatigue, fevers that may reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit, a skin rash that looks salmon colored in appearance, enlargement of the liver and spleen, and sore throat.

While these other symptoms tend to make the joint pain overlooked, the polyarticular arthritis can affect any joint in the body. Diagnosis is commonly made when a physician recognizes the arthritis signs as well as elevated white blood count, inflammation, and other tests that are traditionally run for rheumatoid arthritis.

What Causes Still's Disease?

While there is a large field of research devoted to what causes Still's Disease, there has yet to be a determining cause to be found. The symptoms of Still's Disease, such as the systemic features that affect the organs as well as the high spiking fevers, usually run their course within seven months of onset.

The arthritic symptoms, however, tend to become a long-term problem witch stays with the patient for far long after the other symptoms have gone away. In fact, the arthritis itself can become chronic and stay with the child into their adolescence and adulthood.

Other symptoms that affect children include lethargy – which impacts their overall physical activity, and loss of appetite. What usually marks the onset of symptoms for children is limping, as most children have great difficulty in discussing or communicating their level of pain. The most persistent clinical manifestation of Still's Disease is the swelling in the patient's affected joints.

The joints that are commonly affected are the writs, ankle, knee, as well as the smaller joints of the feet and hands. Some swelling may be difficult to check, especially the joints along the spine, hip, jaw, and shoulder – all of which requires MRI or ultrasound to detect.

How is Still's Disease Treated?

Still's Disease is a form of rheumatic arthritis that can affect the body's joints and cause serious damage, particularly in the wrists as well as causing functional impairments of the both the heart and lungs. However, treatment is usually concentrated on the inflamed joints, which are controlled with a bevy of antiinflamatory drugs.

Other treatment options are those that are traditionally used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis including plaquenil, azathioprine, methotrxate, and cyclophosphamide. There is an emerging class of drugs that have been having been making headway in treating Still's Disease called biologics. This kind of progressive therapy means that with taken in conjunction with methotrxate the body recovers much faster with a more positive response.

Because of the manner in which Still's Disease manifests itself in children and teenagers, especially as joint symptoms, families should be aware of the symptoms of a Still's Disease flare up. When it comes to Still's Disease, it is important to schedule rest periods and remove stress; both physical and emotional, from the patient.