Is Still's disease the same as JIA?
No, Still's disease is not the same as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Still's disease, also known as Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA), is an inflammatory condition that typically affects children and young adults. It is characterized by fever, joint pain, and a distinctive salmon-pink rash. In contrast, JIA is a type of arthritis that affects children and typically causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Although both conditions involve joint pain, there are some key differences between Still's disease and JIA. For instance, Still's disease usually involves a high fever that can reach up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, while JIA typically does not cause fevers. In addition, Still's disease is often associated with a salmon-pink rash that typically appears on the trunk, neck, and arms, and can spread to the rest of the body. This rash is not typically seen in JIA.
Another key difference between the two conditions is that Still's disease is an auto-inflammatory condition, meaning that it is caused by the body's own immune system attacking healthy tissue. In contrast, JIA is an autoimmune disease, meaning that it is caused by the body's own immune system attacking its own healthy tissues. This difference is important because it affects the type of treatment used to manage each condition.
Finally, Still's disease is more likely to affect internal organs, while JIA typically affects the joints and surrounding tissues. Still's disease can affect the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys, and can cause inflammation of the lining of the heart, known as pericarditis. In contrast, JIA typically does not affect internal organs and instead causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.
In conclusion, while both conditions involve joint pain and can affect children, Still's disease is not the same as JIA. Still's disease is an auto-inflammatory condition that typically involves a high fever and a distinctive salmon-pink rash, while JIA is an autoimmune disease that typically causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. In addition, Still's disease is more likely to affect internal organs, while JIA typically affects the joints and surrounding tissues.