Joint injection practices in Pediatric Rheumatology - A global survey

Abstract Background: Intraarticular injections (IAI) were first reported in adult rheumatology in the 1950s and subsequently gained acceptance as a safe and efficacious treatment in Juvenile Idiopathic arthritis (JIA). IAIs are now widely performed and recommended as the initial or only treatment of Oligoarticular JIA and ancillary treatment of actively inflamed joints in other varieties of JIA. However, the performance of the procedure is not currently guided by standardized recommendations, thereby several practice variations are observed. Methods: This worldwide survey of pediatric rheumatologists (with 50% response from Pediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organization: PRINTO and Pediatric Rheumatology Collaborative Study Group: PRCSG members) captures the differences in pre-procedural, procedural and post procedural protocols observed across the globe and asks the necessity of developing consensus in this area of Pediatric Rheumatology. Results: This worldwide survey of Pediatric Rheumatologists had a response rate of almost 50% and captured the differences in IAI protocols observed across the globe. Conclusions: Consensus plans are needed to ensure uniformity in this widely used procedure in Pediatric Rheumatology.