Clinical Spectrum of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in Children in Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) an autoimmune illness affects infants and teenagers worldwide. The study aimed to find the clinical, laboratory, therapeutic, and demographic characteristics associated with JIA patients in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study examined the clinical spectrum of JIA in children at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar from February 25 to August 25, 2023. A total of 106 patients of both genders of less than 16 years of age, who fulfilled the International League of Association for Rheumatology (ILAR) criteria for JIA, were enrolled through the convenience sampling technique in this study. Diagnostic assessments, including clinical evaluations, laboratory testing, and imaging examinations were documented. Data analysis performed by SPSS 16. Results: Out of the total patients (n=102), 61.8% were male with mean age at presentation being 9.44±3.89 years (2-7 years) and median duration of disease being 24 months (interquartile range 42 months). The majority (n=55, 53.9%) fall in the 11-15 age group, with Polyarticular RF Negative JIA prevailing 45 (44.1%, p<0.001%). Enthesial pain is frequent (n=84, 82.4%), while fever (n=47, 46.1% p=0.176) and lower back pain (n=35, 34.3%) were noted. Rashes were infrequent (n=10, 9.8%), and most reported symptoms for over 36 months (n=55, 53.9%). Treatment involves predominantly methotrexate (n=77, 75.5%). Gender and subtype disparities emphasize the intricate heterogeneity in symptom manifestation (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study findings have shown that the JIA is significantly associated with clinical, laboratory, and demographic factors and suggests crafting a policy for on-time diagnosis and management of JIA. Keywords: Autoimmune Diseases, Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Factor.

Keywords

• treatment outcomes
• heterogeneity
• clinical characteristics
• rheumatoid factor
• Juvenile arthritis