Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of hand- and wrist-related symptoms and
impairments, with resulting activity limitations and participation restrictions
in children being treated for juvenile idiopathic arthritis. PATIENTS:
Cohort study of children, diagnosed in our hospitals between 2003 and 2008 with
juvenile idiopathic arthritis, who received standard treatment with regular
follow-ups in the same institutions. Patients were asked about hand and wrist
symptoms, and underwent a standardized physical examination. For activity
limitations, they were asked to complete the Dutch version of the Childhood
Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ). Concerning participation restrictions,
children were asked about any hand- and/or wrist-related difficulties during
daily activities. RESULTS: Of all 152 eligible patients, 121 (80%) participated
in the study; 34 boys and 87 girls, mean age 13.7 years (standard deviation (SD)
4.2), mean disease duration 2.6 years (SD 1.4), mean Juvenile Arthritis Disease
Activity Score in 71 joints (JADAS-71) score 8 (SD 8), indicating low disease
activity. Of these 121, 84 (69%) had at least 1 symptom and 40% had at least 1
impairment. The median CHAQ-total score was 0.5 (mean 0.75 (SD 0.77)), indicating
mild-to-moderate activity limitations; and 54% reported having hand- and/or
wrist-related problems at school. CONCLUSION: Despite low disease activity, many
children appeared to have hand- and/or wrist-related symptoms and impairments,
with resulting moderate to severe levels of activity limitations and
participation restrictions at school.

Langue : ANGLAIS