Authors' objectives: Juvenile idiopathic polyarthritis (pJIA) is a type of chronic arthritis that affects children and adolescents. Patients suffer with pain and swelling in at least five or more joints, and it usually affects the small joints of the body. Subcutaneous tocilizumab is a new treatment option that may reduce inflammation in the joints and prevent long-term damage. It is given as an injection once every 2 or 3 weeks depending on the patients' weight. Tocilizumab is currently being studied to see how well it works and if it is safe to use in people with juvenile idiopathic polyarthritis. If subcutaneous tocilizumab is licensed for use in the UK, it will offer a new treatment option for these children and adolescents.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2016

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/topics/subcutaneous-tocilizumab-for-juvenile-idiopathic-polyarthritis-second-line/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: NIHR Horizon Scanning Research&Intelligence Centre (NIHR HSRIC)