Abstract

Still’s disease in adolescence

Author(s): Adail Orrith Liborio Neto and Fernanda Marvila Fagundes Lamarca

Still’s disease is a rare systemic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology and a frequent cause of fever of unknown origin in adults. It affects both sexes in the same proportion, and in 75% of cases is between 16 and 35 years old.1 Juvenile systemic idiopathic arthritis, also known as Still’s Disease, is characterized by high fever spikes, which persist for more than two weeks, often associated with a non-fixed, evanescent erythematous rash. It is called “Juvenile” because it typically affects children under the age of 16. By systemic, it is said that along with joint inflammation it usually begins with symptoms and signs of systemic (body-wide) illness, such as elevated fevers, swelling of the gland, and involvement of the internal organ. By idiopathic it is meant that there is no known cause for the disease. Abdominal pain and myalgia can intensify during peak fever. Other systemic features include hepatosplenomegaly, generalized lymphadenopathy, and serositis (pleuritis or pericarditis).2This inflammation can wreck affected joints, particularly wrists. Treatment involves medicines which help control inflammation, such as prednisone. The signs and symptoms of this disorder that resemble those of other disorders, including lupus, and a form of lymphoma called cancer