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Uncertainly exists about optimal duration of therapy for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in remission. In this multicenter trial, researchers randomized 364 children (age range, 2–18 years) with confirmed clinical and laboratory remission of JIA to discontinue methotrexate therapy after 6 or 12 months. All children had stopped corticosteroids at least 1 month before inclusion in the study.
No statistically significant differences were noted between the 12-month and 6-month treatment groups in relapse rates within 24 months (57% and 56%) or time to first relapse (21 and 23 months). Most relapses occurred within 1 year of ending methotrexate. A biomarker associated with subclinical JIA activity — myeloid-related proteins 8 an…