Nurse Practitioners Support Patients Living with Juvenile Arthritis

Arthritis has no known cause or cure, but treatment and education delivered by a trusted health care provider can go a long way.

Every day, young patients are brought in to see a health care provider because the symptoms they’re experiencing — which may include joint pain, swelling or tenderness — do not seem to subside. After an examination and diagnostic tests, some of these patients may be diagnosed with juvenile arthritis (JA). The young patients and their families might be surprised and have further questions for their health care provider. Isn’t arthritis mostly associated with the elderly population? Is JA a rare disease? What treatment options are available for JA? What about a cure? Nurse practitioners (NPs), as trusted health care providers, can shine a spotlight on what JA is (and isn’t) while helping demystify an often-confusing diagnosis — and support patients and their families in the process.

Ancient Origins

Taking a step back to explain what arthritis is may help patients and parents feel less helpless when managing the disease. The Arthritis Foundation is one resource for information on arthritis and says: “Arthritis isn’t a single disease; the term refers to joint pain or joint disease, and there are more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions.” Just as there are many types of arthritis, those affected by arthritis also fit into every demographic category: “People of all ages, races and sexes live with arthritis, and it is the leading cause of disability in the U.S.”

Many individuals associate arthritis with the elderly, but The Arthritis Foundation makes clear that “although it’s not a disease of aging, some types of arthritis occur in older people more than younger people.” However, JA — a classification that includes “inflammatory and rheumatic diseases that develop in children under the age of 16” — is not rare, and actually “affects hundreds of thousands of kids and teens in the United States.”

In discussing arthritis with patients, NPs can also explain that we don’t know its cause, even though this cluster of diseases has even been found in dinosaurs (very young patients initially scared by their diagnosis may respond well to learning that they share something directly in common with a Hadrosaur). But even though we don’t know what causes arthritis — or have a cure — NPs have the resources, education and training to guide patients to the treatment that works best for them.

Thriving With JA

The Arthritis Foundation has also created an entire “JA Explained” series aimed at helping to “provide parents and caregivers with expert tips and recommendations on topics around juvenile arthritis,” and which lists recommended physical activities to help patients manage arthritis. Many of these, like cycling or Tai Chi, can involve a group or the whole family. In the summer, children and teens with JA and other rheumatic diseases can even spend time with their peers at Arthritis Foundation camps, where they can “make lifelong friends, gain a greater understanding of their own juvenile arthritis, increase independence and self-confidence, and discover new skills and interests.” Generations of young people have learned to not just manage but thrive while living with JA.

Pediatrics Resources for NPs

Members of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners^® (AANP) interested in pediatrics are welcome to join the AANP Pediatrics Community for just $20 annually. This community includes access to a dedicated online forum where members can connect with like-minded NP colleagues and share information. Members can also take part in interactive discussions, gain support and explore Q&As.

AANP members can also access a number of pediatric resources through AANP’s website, including tools related to food allergies, vaccinations and more.