Does food intolerance play a role in juvenile chronic arthritis?

Sixty children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) have been examined at the paediatric rheumatology out-patient clinic in Maastricht, of whom three ultimately appeared to have a food intolerance. In one of these three patients, there appeared to be a relationship with joint complaints. In the course of the elimination/challenge tests which were conducted, severe painful swelling of the knee occurred rapidly after each challenge. Three challenges were carried out with the same result each time. Since the symptoms did not disappear entirely following elimination of milk, it was concluded that milk intolerance in this case was an aggravating factor in a seronegative monoarticular JCA. In the second and third patients, a strict diet had no positive effect on the joint problems. In conclusion, the existence of such a connection between food and chronic joint complaints has been made clear, it only plays a role in incidental cases.