A NEW study has found that biologic treatments significantly reduce inflammation and improve jaw function in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This research is the first prospective observational study to provide MRI-based evidence supporting the effectiveness of biologic therapies in treating TMJ inflammation in JIA patients.
The study followed 18 patients with MRI-confirmed TMJ arthritis who were treated with tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) alongside methotrexate (MTX) or leflunomide (LEF). Over a 24-month period, researchers observed significant reductions in inflammation, as measured by MRI-derived scores, and improvements in pain, morning stiffness, and jaw opening capacity. The inflammation score dropped from a median of 2 at baseline to 1 at 24 months (P = 0.009), indicating a meaningful decrease in joint inflammation.
Functional improvements were also notable, with reductions in pain during movement (P = 0.01) and morning stiffness (P = 0.004). Additionally, nearly half of the affected joints (47%) either showed improvement or remained stable in terms of structural deformity.
TMJ arthritis is a challenging and often underdiagnosed complication of JIA that can severely impact jaw development and overall quality of life. The findings from this study highlight the potential of biologic therapies to not only reduce inflammation but also improve long-term outcomes for young patients. Given the promising results, researchers suggest further large-scale studies to confirm these benefits and refine treatment strategies for TMJ arthritis in JIA.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Stoustrup P et al. Effects of Biologics on Temporomandibular Joint Inflammation in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. J Rheumatol. 2024;DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.2024-0538.
