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Juvenile Arthritis Biobank
This important research project into the causes of Juvenile Arthritis [JIA] started in December 2007.
Juvenile arthritis belongs to a group of illnesses called autoimmune diseases. In autoimmune diseases an abnormal reaction of the immune system causes inflammation in body tissues even if no infection is present. In Juvenile Arthritis, the inflammation is mainly present in the joints but can also be in other body tissues. This leads to characteristic symptoms such as joint pain and swelling, stiffness, difficulty moving and sometimes fevers and rashes. There is no cure for JIA.
It is estimated that more than 900 children in Victoria under the age of 18 years have Juvenile Arthritis. About 100 children develop Juvenile Arthritis each year in Victoria.
The cause of JIA is poorly understood, but is known to be due to a mixture of genetic and environmental factors. The complex nature of this condition means that determining such factors is a difficult task, and is best achieved using a large group of patients with JIA and comparing them with the same number of children without JIA. There are few such registers like this worldwide and none in Australia. Without knowledge as to the exact causes of JIA, it is virtually impossible to devise a cure or determine preventive strategies, and very difficult to advance treatment options.
This research project aims to identify the reasons Juvenile Arthritis occurs among Victorian children. We hope that over time 1000 children with Juvenile Arthritis and their families will take part in this project. We want to improve knowledge on how to prevent Juvenile Arthritis and other immune disorders in childhood. We hope to do this by comparing children and their families who do have these diseases with those who do not with regard to their early life environment and their genetic constitution. This will involve the families completing a questionnaire about their environment, such as exposure to sunlight and exposure to infection. The child will also have a blood test, usually when other blood tests related to their condition are required. This information will then be stored and analysed for research, otherwise known as a Biobank.
If you have an interest in being part of this study or would just like further information, you can contact:
Betty Lim
Rheumatology Research Nurse
Royal Children's Hospital
Email: betty.lim@rch.org.au
Ph: 9345 4161
Or call 9345 5522 and ask for pager: 4161
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