Aims of CAPS

Our aims are to find out why children and young people develop arthritis and use their medical information to find out the best ways to ensure good long-term health and well-being.

We are looking at the following areas:

  • Social
  • Clinical
  • Psychological
  • Genetics
  • Treatment

We focus on what happens to children and young people with JIA in both the short and long term, including the following:

  • Physical changes (joint inflammation/damage, disability, growth, pain)
  • Quality of life (education, leisure/sports activities, psychological impact)
  • How people respond to treatments
  • How JIA changes over time and how long it lasts

By understanding the cause of childhood arthritis we may be able to prevent illness in future. Better understanding of the course of the illness will help in choosing the best treatment for children in the future.