Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with JIA, who were concurrently enrolled in a study of uveitis in JIA at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta from 2012 to 2016. Children who also endorsed jaw symptoms in the past or during enrollment in the study were included. This study collected information regarding gender, race, JIA subtype, age at first jaw complaint, RF status, ANA status, HLA-B27 status, and involvement of all joints (in addition to TMJ).

Results: This cohort consisted of 470 patients. Of them, 60 patients (52 female, 8 males) with a mean age of 13 years (range, 5 to 18) met inclusion criteria. Patients were Caucasian (43, 71.7%), Hispanic (7, 11.7%), Black (4, 6.7%), or other (6, 10%). Patients had Poly RF negative (19, 31.7%), Oligoarticular Persistent (15, 25.0%), Enthesitis Related (9, 15%), Oligoarticular Extended (7, 11.7%), Poly RF Positive (n, 6.7%), Systemic (3, 5%), Psoriatic (2, 3.3%), Undifferentiated (1, 1.7%). Of children with TMJ involvement, 38 (63%) had involvement of other joints. Patients were RF positive (9, 18.4 %), ANA positive (26, 43.3%), and/or HLA-B27 positive (9, 18.4%). In addition to TMJ, at the time of data collection, other involved joints were: none (22, 36.7%), fingers (18,30.0%), knees (18,30.0%), wrists (14,23.3%) and other (37, 61.6%).

Conclusion: In our cohort, sixty patients (12.8%) experienced TMJ symptoms either prior to or during their enrollment in the study. In this study population, patients who are female, white, RF negative, HLA-B27 negative, ANA negative, Poly RF negative subtype, and have involvement of other joints have a higher likelihood of having jaw symptoms.