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Classification of juvenile chronic arthritis
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Three classifications of juvenile chronic arthritis are used: the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification of juvenile chronic arthritis, and the International League of Rheumatology Associations (ILAR) classification of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Classification of juvenile arthritis
American College of Rheumatology classification |
Classification of the European League Against Rheumatism |
Classification of the International League of Rheumatology Associations |
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis systemic; Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis polyarticular (seropositive, seronegative); Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis oligoarticular |
Juvenile chronic systemic arthritis; Juvenile chronic polyarticular arthritis; Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (seropositive); Juvenile chronic oligoarticular arthritis; Juvenile psoriatic Arthritis; Juvenile ankylosing spondylitis |
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis systemic; Juvenile idiopathic arthritis polyarticular (seronegative); Juvenile idiopathic arthritis polyarticular (seropositive); Juvenile idiopathic arthritis oligoarticular: (persistent, progressive); Psoriatic arthritis; Enthesitis arthritis; Other arthritis |
Classification criteria for juvenile arthritis
Criteria |
Classification of the American College of Rheumatology (takes into account clinical criteria, onset and course) |
Classification of the European League Against Rheumatism (takes into account clinical and serological criteria, debut) |
Classification of the International League of Rheumatological Associations (takes into account clinical and serological criteria, onset and course) |
Number of opening options |
3 |
6 |
7 |
Number of flow subtypes |
9 |
- |
2 |
Age of arthritis onset |
<16 years |
<16 years |
<16 years |
Duration of arthritis |
>6 weeks |
>3 months |
>6 weeks |
Inclusion of juvenile ankylosing spondylitis |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Inclusion of juvenile psoriatic arthritis |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Inclusion of inflammatory bowel disease |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Reactive arthritis activation |
No |
No |
No |
Exclusion of all other diseases |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
The ILAR classification needs to be revised because 20% of children with arthritis either do not meet the criteria for any category or meet the criteria for more than one category. Every physician observing children with arthritis should understand that juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a heterogeneous disease that requires early diagnosis and adequate therapy before joint destruction and disability develop.
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