Arthritis probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you suddenly get a fever every day and a brand new pink rash.
Or if you have swollen lymph nodes and a sore throat. Or if you feel super tired and achy. But all of these can be the first signs of adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD), a rare type of arthritis. And because the symptoms are so common to other conditions, AOSD can be tricky to diagnose.
Finding healthcare providers familiar with diagnosing and treating this condition is important. Our skilled rheumatology providers recognize and treat AOSD with personalized, expert care. We’ll work with you to help relieve your discomfort — whether you have a single flare-up or chronic (ongoing) AOSD.
At Cleveland Clinic, you’ll have providers from many different specialties caring for you. We believe in highly individualized care, so the specific providers diagnosing and treating you will depend on your unique needs. Meet our team.
Our dedicated researchers focus on improving your therapy options and treatment success with this rare condition. We offer the latest medications for severe and chronic AOSD.
Not all appointments need to be in person. Virtual visits let you meet one-on-one with your providers using a smartphone, tablet or computer. This easy and convenient alternative lets you ask questions and talk about your progress with your providers from the comfort of home.
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Adult-onset Still’s disease is a form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (juvenile Still’s disease). But this type affects adults, not kids, and changes how your immune system works.
Your immune system usually protects your body. But with AOSD, your immune system can attack healthy tissue, causing inflammation and organ damage. Over time, the damage can spread to joints and organs throughout your body.
Adult-onset Still’s disease can affect your spleen, liver, heart and lungs. It can also cause your joints to break down. Sometimes, you might have one flare-up that could last a year or more before it goes away. It could come back later — more than once. Or it might become a chronic (ongoing) condition.
And because AOSD’s broad symptoms are similar to more common conditions, it’s not always easy to diagnose. But our experienced specialists know what to look for, so they can put the puzzle pieces together and get you on the road to relief
It’s important that your providers understand what’s been going on. That’s why your first visit begins with a conversation. We may ask things like:
No single test can identify adult-onset Still’s disease. So your provider may order several different ones to confirm a diagnosis and to rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms.
Our team will check your blood and urine (pee) for signs of inflammation and infection in your body. We may also test the fluid inside your joints to learn more about the cause of your joint pain.
We might do imaging tests to see if there’s inflammation in your joints, chest, heart, lungs and other organs:
A personalized team of healthcare providers from different specialties will care for you at Cleveland Clinic. We choose these providers based on your needs and health. Everyone on your team works together, usually led by our expert rheumatologists, to plan care that focuses on you and your diagnosis. Your team could also include:
Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio and Florida.
Whether you’ve had just one bout of adult-onset Still’s disease or have ongoing symptoms, we’re here to help you manage your condition so you can lead a healthy, active life. We use what we learn from your first visit and your test results to decide what treatments will work best for you.
We focus treatment on reducing pain and inflammation, improving how your joints work and preventing complications. Your provider may recommend:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil®or Motrin®) or aspirin may be the first course of action. We may also prescribe corticosteroids. Both kinds of medications help reduce fever, pain and inflammation.
We offer advanced disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to manage severe and chronic adult-onset Still’s disease. DMARDs work by suppressing your immune system. Your providers will figure out which medication can help protect your organs by controlling your immune system to reduce inflammation.
Our physical therapists guide you through a personalized exercise routine designed to strengthen your joints. This will help relieve severe joint pain and prevent further damage and inflammation. Our occupational therapists help you learn ways to make everyday tasks easier and less painful to do.
Adult-onset Still’s disease affects everyone differently. After your first flare-up, you many never have it again. Maybe it will show up every now and then. Or maybe you’ll have joint pain and inflammation that’s always there. No matter what you experience with this condition, our healthcare providers will keep an eye on your health over time. You can rely on us to provide the immediate care and long-term follow-up you need. Together, we’ll craft a treatment plan that’ll relieve your pain so you can lead a healthy, active life.
Getting an appointment with Cleveland Clinic’s adult-onset Still’s disease experts is easy. We’re here to help you get care.
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