Pediatric patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis already face increased risk of bacterial infections, but use of high-dose steroids could significantly increase the risk, according to research from the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
Researchers relied on Medicaid data to assess 8,479 juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients and 360,489 children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Pharmacy claims were used to determine which medications were used and identify infections through hospital discharge diagnoses.
The researchers found juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients had higher rates of infection than children with ADHD, regardless of treatment strategy. They also found infection rates among juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients was significantly higher among those treated with high doses of glucocorticoids, but not any higher in children treated with other drugs, such as methotrexate or TNF inhibitors. The researchers concluded treatment strategies that avoid high use of steroids could decrease risk of infection among juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients.
Researchers relied on Medicaid data to assess 8,479 juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients and 360,489 children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Pharmacy claims were used to determine which medications were used and identify infections through hospital discharge diagnoses.
The researchers found juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients had higher rates of infection than children with ADHD, regardless of treatment strategy. They also found infection rates among juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients was significantly higher among those treated with high doses of glucocorticoids, but not any higher in children treated with other drugs, such as methotrexate or TNF inhibitors. The researchers concluded treatment strategies that avoid high use of steroids could decrease risk of infection among juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients.
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