Multierosive Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis With Positive Rheumatoid Factor: A Case Report of a Young Girl Followed at the University Clinics of Bukavu

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Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) with positive rheumatoid factor is a rare and severe form of chronic inflammatory rheumatism in children. We report the case of a young girl treated at the University Clinics of Bukavu (eastern DR Congo), whose disease began at the age of 10. The course of the disease was characterized by highly inflammatory polyarthritis with severe multierosive lesions. Immunological testing revealed positivity for rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies. Diagnosis and treatment were delayed for approximately nine years (2008-2017). Management was complicated by poor adherence and discontinuation of methotrexate and corticosteroids. The patient subsequently died to recurrent infectious complications and hypertension. This case illustrates the impact of diagnostic delay and difficulties in accessing care on the prognosis of severe forms of JIA in resource-limited settings.