Clinical characteristics and outcomes analysis of children with rheumatoid factor-positive polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis

OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes between patients with rheumatoid factor (RF)-positive and RF-negative polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA). METHODS: =72) based on serum RF status. Disease activity was assessed using the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score-27 (JADAS-27). All patients were followed for at least 6 months, with a maximum follow-up duration of 6 years. Clinical features, laboratory findings, and outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Children with RF-positive pJIA showed higher baseline inflammatory status and a higher incidence of pulmonary involvement, yet they achieved comparable remission rates to those with RF-negative pJIA. Biologic-targeted therapies may contribute to improved remission rates and outcomes, but RF-positive patients may require switching or combination therapy with different targets to achieve clinical remission.