OBJECTIVE: We studied an inception cohort of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) to (1) identify distinct disease courses based on changes over 5 years in 5 variables prioritized by patients, parents, and clinicians; and (2) estimate the probability of a severe disease course for each child at diagnosis.

METHODS: Assessments of quality of life, pain, medication requirements, patient-reported side effects, and active joint counts were scheduled at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months. Patients who attended at least 6 assessments were included. Multivariable cluster analysis, r

RESULTS: Four distinct courses were identified in 609 subjects. They differed in prioritized variables, disability scores, and probabilities of attaining inactive disease and remission. We named them Mild (43.8% of children), Moderate (35.6%), Severe Controlled (9%), and Severe Persisting (11.5%). A logistic regression model using JIA category, active joint count, and pattern of joint involvement at enrollment best predicted a severe disease course (Controlled + Persisting, c-index = 0.87); 91% of children in the highest decile of risk actually experienced a severe disease course, compared to 5% of those in the lowest decile.

CONCLUSION: Children in this JIA cohort followed 1 of 4 disease courses and the probability of a severe disease course could be estimated with information available at diagnosis.