A single center experience in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Medical records of the patients diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in Pediatric Nephrology Outpatient Clinic, Necmettin Erbakan University between January 2010 and December 2021 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients'demographic characteristics, distribution by JIA subgroup, clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and treatments received were examined. For statistical analyses, SPSS 22.0 program was used and a p<0.05 was considered significant. A total of 88 patients were included in the study. Of the patients, 36 (40.9%) were male and 52 (59.1%) female. Male/female ratio was found to be 0.69.Patients'mean age was 97.67±52.62 months and median age was 96 (min: 9 – max: 192) months. In regard to distribution by JIA subgroups, it was found that 35 (39.8%) were oligoarticular, 31 (35.2%) systemic, 19 (21.6%) polyarticular, two (2.3%) enthesitis-related, and one (1.1%) psoriatic arthritis. When admission symptoms and signs were examined, all patients (100%) were determined to have arthritis.Of the patients, 36 (40.9%) had history of fever, 31 (86%) of which had systemic JIA. Of the patients, 19 (21.6%) were found to have organomegaly (hepatomegaly and/or splenomegaly). Twenty patients (22.7%) had lymphadenopathy. Of the patients, 11 (12.5%) were found to have uveitis on admission and/or during follow-up. Of the patients, 80 (90.9%) were observed to have had echocardiography. It was observed that, of the patients undergone echocardiography,70 (87.5%) were determined to have a normal result, whereas 10 patients (12.5%) were found to have some pathological findings, including prolapsed mitral valve, mitral insufficiency or pulmonary stenosis. Of the patients, 45 (51.1%) were tested positive for antinuclear antibody (ANA). When other laboratory findings were examined, it was observed that mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was52.7±33.68 mm/hour, mean ferritin level 901.69±2007.89 mg/dl, and mean c-reactive protein level 71.79±67.4 mg/L. In regard to treatments given, it was determined that corticosteroids were used in a total of 42 (52.3%) patients, methotrexate in 75 (85.2%) patients, and biological agents in eight (9.1%) patients. JIA is the most common chronic rheumatic disease of childhood and one of important causes of loss of function during childhood.For JIA, early diagnosis, followed by initiation of necessary treatment, is of vital importance in controlling the disease and preventing loss of function. Literature review reveals that JIA subgroups have varying distribution rates across different geographic areas and that loss of function has reduced with developing treatment methods. In our study, based upon patients with JIA being followed-up in our hospital, we examined demographic and clinical characteristics, distribution by subgroups, treatments received and long-term complications in patients with JIA from our region. We are in thought of that conduction of similar studies in different areas will increase the awareness and will provide a better understanding of JIA distribution and patient profiles. Key Words:juvenile idiopathic arthritis, oligoarthritis, polyarthritis, uveitis