Examination of physical activity level and psychosocial functions in children and adolescents with juvenile i̇diopatich arthritis: A comparative study

The aim of our study is to examine the physical activity level and psychosocial functions in children and adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and compare them with healthy controls. 14 children/adolescents with JIA (mean age = 12.35±2.16 years) and 15 healthy children (mean age = 13.20±1.61 years) participated in the study. After demographic data were recorded, disease activities of children/adolescents with JIA were measured by Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS-27), functional levels by Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ), physical activity levels by Physical Activity Level (PAL) 1-day activity. MET and energy consumption were calculated, their psychosocial status was evaluated with the Juvenile Arthritis Biopsychosocial Questionnaire (JAB-Q (child, family and clinician)) and their fatigue within the psychosocial framework was evaluated with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory-Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (PedsQL-F (general, sleep). , cognitive and total)) were evaluated. Height (p=0.005) and body weight (p=0.023) of children/adolescents with JIA were significantly lower than healthy children. As a result of the comparative analysis; In terms of functionality, CHAQ dressing (p = 0.002), eating (p = 0.000), lying down (p = 0.000), standing (p = 0.000), walking (p = 0.000), holding (p = 0.000), hygiene (p =0.000) and other activities (p=0.000) were significant in favor of healthy children and adolescents. Physical activity assessment MET (p=0.621) and energy consumption (p=0.425); In terms of fatigue parameters PedsQL-F (general) (p=0.189), PedsQL-F (sleep) (p= 0.519), PedsQL-F (cognitive) (p=0.987) and PedsQL-F (total) (p= 0.987). the groups were similar. JADAS-27 score and CHAQ total score of children/adolescents with JIA (r=0.571, p=0.033) and JAB-Q child form (r= 0.567, p=0.035) and clinician form (r=0.811, p=0.000). While there was no relationship between MET, energy consumption and PedsQL-F total and JAB-Q family form (p>0.05). Compared to healthy children, children/adolescents with JIA had lower body composition and lower levels of functionality. Additionally, although their fatigue levels were higher and their energy consumption was less, it was not enough to make a difference. While disease activity was related to functionality and psychosocial scores of the child and the clinician, it was not found to be related to physical activity, fatigue and family perspective. Increasing the physical activity of both children and adolescents with JIA and healthy children and adolescents should be a common goal. In addition, it is important that the family's perspective is not protective, but encouraging about participation in physical activity/exercise. Keywords: Physical Activity; Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis; Psychosocial Functions; Fatigue.