The Long-term Safety and Efficacy of Biologic Therapies in Children with Rheumatic Diseases

Research summary

This prospective observational cohort study aims to recruit all children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis who are starting therapy with a biologic drug. A parallel cohort of children starting Methotrexate will also be collected. Recruitment and data collection will be facilitated by research nurses established in a number of key paediatric centres across the UK and in particular through collaboration with the MCRN/CLRN and its Local Research Networks (LRN). All children will be followed for a minimum of 5 years. The response to treatment will be assessed at regular intervals using the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) JIA core outcome variables, including active and joint counts, inflammatory markers, pain and disability levels. The rates of serious adverse events, defined as events resulting in death, hospitalisation, disability, or are otherwise life-threatening,will be compared with those observed in a cohort of patients receiving Methotrexate.

Principal Investigator

Dr Kathryn Bailey

Contact us

Email: childrensresearch@ouh.nhs.uk

IRAS number

24269