Meloxicam [Mobic] in Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA)

Inclusion Criteria: * diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) by International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) criteria; pauciarthritic, extended pauciarthritic, or polyarthritic current course of disease; * active arthritis of at least 2 joints * at least 2 other abnormal variables of the 5 remaining core set parameters * require nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) * children aged 2-17 years Exclusion Criteria: * systemic course of juvenile idiopathic arthritis * all rheumatic conditions not included in inclusion criteria; any clinical finding or abnormal clinically relevant lab (not due to JIA) that could interfere with conduct of clinical trial * weight of 9 kg or less * pregnancy or breast feeding * females of childbearing potential who are sexually active and not using adequate contraception for at least 3 mos prior to and for duration of study * history of bleeding disorder, gastrointestinal bleeding, or cerebrovascular bleeding * peptic ulcer past 6 months * more than 1 disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) or change in DMARD during 3 months prior * change corticosteroids during 1 month prior * systemic corticosteroids greater than 10 mg/d, hydroxychloroquine greater than 10/mg/d, cyclosporine greater than 5 mg/kg/d., methotrexate greater than 15 mg/m2/wk, cytotoxic agents, gold, D-penicilamine, sulfasalazine, glucosamine, and investigational products * etanercept during 1 month prior; infliximab during 2 months prior; intra-articular corticosteroids during 1 month prior * patients requiring concomitant other NSAID including topical (excluding ophthalmic) * requirement for use of other NSAIDs, anticoagulants, phenothiazine, lithium, or ACTH * insufficient effect or intolerability to naproxen or meloxicam * known or suspected hypersensitivity to trial meds or their excipients * requirement of chronic H2 antagonist * history of asthma, nasal polyps, angioneurotic edema, or urticaria with aspirin or NSAIDs * planned surgical procedures during study * investigational drug exposure during this trial or within 30 days (or 6 half lives, whichever greater) prior * previous participation in this trial * patients with known drug or alcohol abuse * patient, parent or legal representative unable to understand and to comply with protocol