Corticosteroids in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Corticosteroids, although potent suppressors of symptoms and signs of disease, are not effective in curing rheumatoid arthritis in adults or children. Prolonged use of corticosteroids is attended with multiple serious side effects. In JRA, the outlook for most children is good; potentially dangerous drugs should be avoided if at all possible. The indications for corticosteroid usage in JRA might be summarized as: Severe systemic disease unresponsive to salicylates Chronic iridocyclitis unresponsive to topical steroids. Only very rarely for severe arthritis per se; and then with the realization that, although symptoms are being suppressed, the natural history of the disease may not be greatly affected.