Recent antibiotic exposure and response to treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors' conclusion
Recent antibiotic exposure is not associated with changes in DMARD treatment in children with JIA.
Study context
- Population
- Children aged 1–17 with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) continuously enrolled ≥ 10 months, US claims data 2001–2023
- Participants
- 6,135 vs 1,554
- Exposure
- Antibiotic-exposed vs unexposed before MTX or tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) monotherapy initiation
- MTXn = 6,135
- TNFin = 1,554
- Outcome
- Initiation of a second DMARD after ≥ 30 days (proxy of treatment ineffectiveness)
Methodological detailsnational US public and private insurance claims data, Cox regression
- National US public and private insurance claims data
- Cox regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
10 months of follow-up
Adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI)
Pre-DMARD antibiotic exposure, methotrexate users
1.01(0.90–1.13)
Pre-DMARD antibiotic exposure, TNFi users
1.10(0.86–1.40)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Number of courses, timing, type of antibiotic, nonbacterial antimicrobial exposure
- Not associated with treatment changes in MTX or TNFi users
JIA category, alternative outcome definitions, delayed start of follow-up
- Findings consistent
Original publication
Recent antibiotic exposure and response to treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a retrospective cohort study. Arthritis Res Ther. Published 8 June 2026. doi:10.
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