juvenile arthritis

Arthritis is a condition that affects roughly 24% of all American adults. However, arthritis can also be an issue in children, and it is estimated that nearly 300,000 children in the U.S. have juvenile arthritis. Since July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month, we wanted to take a closer look at juvenile arthritis, specifically juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and discuss how ContinuumRx can treat JIA patients from home or at one of our infusion locations.

Causes and Symptoms

Simply put, JIA is an autoimmune or autoinflammatory condition caused when the immune system mistakes the tissues and cells surrounding joints for germs or viruses and attacks them. The exact reason JIA occurs is unknown, but it is the most common type of arthritis in children under sixteen. The severity of JIA differs by case, but the following symptoms are generally present in individuals with the disease:

  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Stiffness
  • Rashes, fevers, or swollen lymph nodes

While these symptoms are common for any arthritis patient, depending on the severity, they can cause issues with joint growth and development and inflict long-term damage on juvenile patients.

Treatment

There are various types of treatments for JIA, and some physicians may prescribe infusion therapy to help improve symptoms and prevent further joint damage.

Humira

One source of inflammation in patients with JIA is an overproduction of a hormone, tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Humira targets and blocks TNF-alpha, relieving symptoms of pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. Humira can be administered in children two years or older and is commonly used to treat JIA patients and adults with arthritis.

Rituxan

Rituxan works differently from other arthritis infusion drugs since it is not a TNF inhibitor. Instead, Rituxan or rituximab works by depleting levels of B-cells in the body which is a cell type that is thought to cause swelling and joint pain. In a 2018 study, it was found that rituximab was a potentially effective treatment method for patients with JIA that did not respond to TNF inhibitor therapy.

Kineret

Kineret has been shown to be effective as an early treatment for JIA. This medication works by blocking the activity of interleukin-1 (IL-1), a protein that causes inflammation. In addition to JIA, Kineret is often used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in adults, neonatal-onsite multisystem inflammatory disease, and deficiency of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist.

Orencia

Orencia can be used in children aged two or older to treat JIA. Orencia works by binding to two proteins that activate T cells which are primarily responsible for attacking joints in arthritis patients. These proteins are CD80 and CD86 and are located on the surface of specific immune cells. By blocking these proteins, Orencia decreases T cell proliferation and can reduce inflammation and other symptoms in patients with JIA and other forms of arthritis.

Since JIA is so complex, a physician will determine the best course of treatment for the patient. No matter which infusion medication your child is prescribed, ContinuumRx can help save you time and money by delivering your therapy from home or one of our comfortable and conveniently located infusion suites. Contact us today to learn more!

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As a parent, you are always working to give your child a happy and normal childhood. However, medical factors can arise keeping your child from living the life you envisioned. No parent can foresee or prevent these changes, but infusion therapy can ease your child’s discomfort and restore a sense of normalcy to everyday life. Home infusion therapy is common for ailments that include, but are not limited to, juvenile arthritis, Crohn’s disease, metabolic disorders, bone diseases, cancer, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, immunodeficiencies, and others.

While infusion therapy is highly beneficial, infusion centers and hospitals are costly, isolating, and can disrupt a family’s schedule. Some infusion treatments can take hours, and the added travel time makes it impossible for kids to participate in extracurricular activities and sports.

Home Care Magazine estimates that roughly 60,000 patients undergo infusion treatments from home every day, and this number is expected to double in the next five years. Many patients realize the benefits home infusion therapy can offer and are making the switch – especially when it comes to a child that needs treatment. 

ContinuumRx delivers top-rated expertise in home infusion therapy, eliminating the need for treatment at a hospital or infusion center while granting peace of mind and an undisruptive infusion therapy schedule for children. Receiving treatments in the comfort of a patient’s home is not only safe and convenient but allows children to receive medication under the care of a registered nurse while watching TV or movies, playing games, and even finishing homework.

As parents we know how difficult it can be to have a child needing medical care. We aim to take the confusion and fear out of that for the entire family. Patience and empathy are guiding principles for our entire team. Keeping the family comfortable in their home or in one of our infusion suites helps make the process more pleasant.

Keith Hartman, President, ContinuumRx

Our team is dedicated to the care and recovery of your child through all stages of their journey. Keep reading to learn more about the pediatric infusion therapies we offer at ContinuumRx.

Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) for PANDAS/ PANS
Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS/PANS) is a disease that predominantly affects children. With PANDAS, a child is usually diagnosed following a streptococcal (strep) infection, like strep throat or scarlet fever. They will develop mannerisms associated with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) seemingly overnight. PANS is similar where there is a sudden onset of OCD behaviors, but it does not follow an infection.

Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) therapy has been proven effective in treating PANDAS/ PANS. According to the PANDAS Network, the treatment has been shown to alleviate symptoms and improve a child’s condition in as little as 3-4 weeks. 

ContinuumRx works closely with the PANDAS Network to raise awareness around the condition and encourage plasma donation to help with the IVIG supply. We also travel to patient’s homes to deliver IVIG therapy so they can remain comfortable in a familiar setting.

Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin Therapy (SGIg)
When a child (or adult) cannot make their own antibodies to fight off infection, they usually have an immunodeficiency disorder. Some examples of these conditions are X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), and severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID).

One form of treatment shown to help patients with immunodeficiencies is subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy (SGIg). With this treatment, defective antibodies are replaced with healthy ones provided by a donor. 

While this procedure is ordinarily well-tolerated and safe, it can still be a daunting experience for a child. Undergoing SCIg therapy at home can help make patients both young and old feel more at ease. 

Inotropic Therapies for Heart Failure Patient
Inotropes are drugs typically administered to heart failure patients and can be instrumental in keeping patients comfortable or stabilizing their condition while they await transplant. Recently, many patients undergoing inotropic therapy have opted to receive treatment from home. This is primarily attributed to the fact that home infusion is proven to be a clinically safe, cost-effective, and patient-preferred method of care.
A 2007 study published by the National Library of Medicine set out to explore the effects of home inotropic therapy in children with advanced congestive heart failure (CHF). The study found that receiving inotropic therapy from home was significantly beneficial for children stating, “continuous home inotropic therapy in children with CHF is safe with few complications. Home inotropic therapy may result in substantial cost-savings and improve family dynamics by avoiding prolonged hospitalization.”

Parenteral Nutrition and Enteral Nutrition 
Parenteral and enteral nutrition are two types of tube feedings prescribed when a child cannot eat normally. Parenteral nutrition delivers nutrients through a vein, while enteral nutrition is done through the gastrointestinal tract. 

Receiving either parenteral or enteral nutrition is a massive lifestyle change for any individual; however, children and adolescents may need more support from loved ones during this transitional time. 

ContinuumRx realizes how important it is for your child to still maintain a sense of normalcy and independence. That’s why we deliver expert parenteral and enteral nutrition services right from your living room, so treatment can fit into a patient’s day rather than centering around it.

Specialty Medications
Antibiotic, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal medications are examples of infusion treatments a child may need regularly. A child may require this type of treatment if they have conditions like cystic fibrosis, Crohn’s disease, cellulitis, cancer, dehydration issues, prolonged pain, and many others. 

Having one or more of these types of medical ailments can add up to lengthy hospital stays, medical bills, and constant traveling to and from the medical facility. All of these factors can take a toll on a family in more ways than one.

Hospitals are not always the only answer when your child requires specialty infusion medications. At ContinuumRx, we help patients save time and money by bringing the treatment to them. Worried about the cost? Our specialists work with you to vet your insurance and payment options for treatment.
If your family feels overwhelmed by the infusion site or hospital setting, you’re not alone. Your child’s infusion therapy should be a fraction of their daily life, not their whole day. Ready to switch to a more convenient method of care? ContinuumRx can help. We grant families the freedom to heal together in the comfort of their own homes when they need it most.

Contact us today to onboard your child’s therapy.