This multicenter, international longitudinal study will recruit JIA patients (according to ILAR classification criteria) with active disease according to JADAS 10 and 27 scoring prior starting recommended treatment. All JIA relevant data (demographics, duration, disease activity, medication usage and treatment efficacy) will be collected and parent/guardian written consent obtained. At enrolment and during predefined scheduled follow up visits (at 3 months up to 12 months) all JIA patients will be clinically evaluated by JADAS 10 and 27 scoring, examined by ultrasound gray-scale (GS) and Power Doppler (PD) in (44 joints) using OMERACT synovitis scoring system by an expert in pediatric ultrasound. At each visit blood samples will be obtained for evaluation of inflammatory markers (such as cytokines, chemokines and S100A8, S100A9 and S100A12). In the case of disease worsening, the same parameters will be performed as unscheduled visit.
Month 0-3: Ethics Committees Approval, ICF and CRF preparation, organization of web based ultrasound calibration exercise
Month 0-12: Active enrolment of the patients (to be extended if necessary)
Month 12-18: Longitudinal phase of the study and midterm analysis
Month 18-24: Termination of the follow up phase
Month 24-27: Shipment of the blood samples and analysis
Month 27-36: Statistical analysis and publications
Patient participation from local patient organizations will be crucial to explore which questions of interest have the greatest impact on the patient disease outcomes and treatment response. Planned is to include patients organizations representatives from each participating center and give them possibility to ask all questions important for their future perspectives. Patients feedback will be used to create a brochure with all disease aspects that patients want to know. This will help JIA patients and their families to better understand disease course and treatment strategies. The project results will also be presented during World Arthritis day. All of this information will be available on patients organization website and will be shared via other available social media channels.