Adult Still's disease

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Still's disease - adult; AOSD

The goal of treatment for adult Still's disease is to control the symptoms of arthritis. Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, are usually the first treatment used.

Prednisone may be used for more severe cases.

If the disease persists for a long time (becomes chronic), medicines that suppress the immune system might be needed. Such medicines include:

• Anakinra (interleukin-1 receptor agonist)
• Methotrexate
• Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists such as Enbrel (etanercept)

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Studies show that in about 20% of patients, all symptoms go away in a year and never come back. In about 30% of patients, all symptoms go away but then come back several times over the next few years.

Symptoms continue for a long time (chronic) in about half of patients with adult Still's disease.

• Arthritis in several joints
• Liver disease
• Pericarditis
• Pleural effusion
• Spleen enlargement

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of adult Still's disease.

If you have already been diagnosed with the condition, you should call your health care provider if you have a cough or difficulty breathing.

Review Date: 02/07/2011
Reviewed By: Michael E. Makover, MD, professor and attending in Rheumatology at the New York University Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).