About the Study

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA): A study of tears and blood markers for JIA and uveitis

The longitudinal tears portion of this study is for: • Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis without Uveitis (JIA-no-U): Diagnosed with JIA (RF-negative, oligoarticular, psoriatic, or undifferentiated) within the last four years and are less than 18 years of age at the time of enrollment • or Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis associated Uveitis (JIA-U): diagnosed with JIA (RF-negative, oligoarticular, psoriatic, or undifferentiated) and uveitis and are less than 18 years of age at the time of enrollment The one time DNA collection for genetics portion of this study is for: • JIA-no-U patients who must be 1) diagnosed with JIA ≥ 4 years and 2) have at least one ophthalmology exam performed after having JIA ≥ 4 years. • or JIA-U patients must be 1) diagnosed with JIA, 2) diagnosed with uveitis, and 3) have at least one ophthalmology exam performed confirming uveitis diagnosis. The main reason for this research study is to help researchers to learn more about children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and/or uveitis (inflammation of the eye), and to help researchers identify who is at the greatest risk for uveitis development. Researchers also hope to discover whether certain markers in a child's tears and blood can better help to determine one's risk for developing uveitis. Investigators hope that early detection of uveitis, regular monitoring for eye disease and complications, and appropriate, timely therapy can improve the quality of life and long-term outcomes of children with arthritis and/or uveitis.

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Full Study Name: Predicting Eye Disease in Childhood Arthritis – Uveitis Study (PEDIA-U)