Consequences and complications

Systemic arthritis has a variable course [1–3]. In about half of patients, the disease is characterized by a monocyclic or an intermittent course with relapses followed by periods of remission. In such cases, arthritis accompanies episodes of fever but remits when systemic features are controlled. The long-term outlook for these patients is usually good. In the other half of patients, the disease follows an unremitting course. In many cases, but not all, extra-articular manifestations eventually subside and chronic arthritis remains as the major long-term problem.