Document Type
Article
Department
Paediatrics and Child Health (East Africa)
Abstract
Background Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatologic disease of childhood. The Existing guidelines for polyarticular JIA are typically based on data from non-African populations and may not fully address the unique challenges faced in African settings. We aimed to produce updated African guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (poly-JIA).
Methods This study was conducted with the aim of reaching a consensus among African experts on the diagnosis and treatment of poly-JIA using the Delphi technique. The frst scientifc committee identifed a total of 15 key clinical questions according to the PICO (Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) approach. A systematic review of the evidence-based literature was conducted for this work. The core steering group identifed researchers and clinicians with expertise in pediatric rheumatology. A Delphi process was used to reach consensus.
Results An online questionnaire was sent to the expert panel that participated in the survey (100% response rate). A total of 15 recommendation points were identifed, divided into two parts: fve recommendations for diagnosis and ten recommendations for management. The percentage of those who agreed with the recommendations (fourth and ffth place) ranged from 80 to 100%. All 15 clinical recommendation statements that the scientifc committee had identifed had been agreed upon in wording (i.e., 75% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed).
Conclusions We successfully developed guidelines for children with polyarticular JIA, taking into consideration the African specifc nature of limited resources and low income, also on the same time incorporating newly released data and using a treat to target approach.
Publication (Name of Journal)
Pediatric Rheumatology
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12969-025-01076-5
Recommended Citation
Abu-Zaid, M. H.,
Migowa, A.,
Kassa, H. L.,
Messadi, W.,
Taha, Y.,
Fuseini, Y. H.,
Ngandeu, M.,
Miedany, Y. E.,
Hofer, M.,
Hamdi, W.
(2025). African guidelines for diagnosis and management of polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis: PAFLAR initiative. Pediatric Rheumatology, 23(27), 1-12.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/eastafrica_fhs_mc_paediatr_child_health/569
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
