Pauciarticular JRA

Definition: Pauciarticular JRA refers to a form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis which affects four or fewer joints. Pauciarticular is the most common form of JRA; about half of all children with JRA have this type. This type of JRA affects mostly girls. Girls under age 8 are most likely to develop this type of JRA. Pauciarticular disease is a disease of few joints. It most commonly affects the knees, elbows, wrists, and ankles. The joints are usually affected asymmetrically (one joint on one side). Children affected by pauciarticular disease usually have a positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) test and are prone to an inflammatory eye condition, iridocyclitis. Children with pauciarticular JRA generally do well.