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Objectives To investigate the perceptions and acceptability of a home-based exercise intervention in systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) adolescent patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to explore the effects of the intervention on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), sleep quality, and mental health conditions parameters. Methods This was a randomized controlled trial of a 12-week, home-based exercise training program conducted between October and December 2020. During this period, social distancing measures were in place in Brazil to contain the spread of COVID-19. Adolescent patients diagnosed with JSLE and JIA participated in the study. Health-related qualitative and quantitative data were collected before and after the follow-up. Results 21 JSLE patients and 30 JIA patients were analyzed. Six themes emerged from patients’ feedback: 1) Suitability of the home-based format; 2) Appropriate trainer supervision, 3) Motivators and facilitators for the program; 4) Barriers to the program; 5) Health benefits; 6) Patients’ suggestions to improve the program. Overall, data indicated that the intervention showed good acceptability and elicited improvements in the perceived HRQoL and fatigue in JIA and JSLE patients during the pandemic. However, further quantitative analyses with validated HRQoL, sleep quality, and mental health conditions instruments did not capture these benefits (p>0.05). Conclusion Our main findings based on in-depth qualitative assessments suggest that a home-based exercise training program was suitable and well-accepted by adolescents with JSLE and JIA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, adherence was not high, particularly among JIA patients, suggesting that facilitators and barriers identified in the current study should be explored to improve the quality of new home-based exercise programs implementation, particularly in a future emerging crisis.

Objectives To assess mental health and life conditions in adolescents with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) and healthy controls quarantined during COVID-19 pandemic. Method A cross-sectional study included 155 ARD adolescents and 105 healthy controls. Online survey included selfreported strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ), and a semi-structured questionnaire with demographic data, daily home and school routine, physical activities, and COVID-19 information during the pandemic. Results Among patients, 56% had juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), 29% juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE), and 15% juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). No differences were found regarding sex, ethnicity, and current age between ARD patients and controls (p > 0.05). Abnormal emotional SDQ (38% vs. 35%, p = 0.653) were similar in both groups. Logistic regression analyses in ARD patients demonstrated that female (OR = 2.4; 95%CI 1.0-6.0; p = 0.044) was associated with severe emotional SDQ dysfunction, whereas sleep problems were considered as a risk factor for both worse total SDQ (OR = 2.6; 95%CI 1.2-5.5; p = 0.009) and emotional SDQ scores (OR = 4.6; 95%CI 2.2-9.7; p < 0.001). Comparisons between ARD patients with and without current prednisone use showed higher median scores of peer problems in the first group [3 (0-10) vs. 2 (0-7), p = 0.049], whereas similar median and frequencies between JIA, JSLE, and JDM (p > 0.05). Conclusions Approximately one third of JIA, JSLE, and JDM patients presented abnormal total and emotional scores of SDQ during COVID-19 quarantine. Sleep problems were the main factor associated with emotional difficulties in these ARD adolescents. The knowledge of mental health issues rates in adolescents with ARD supports the development of prevention strategies, like sleep hygiene counseling, as well as the references of the affected patients to specialized mental health services, as necessary. Key Points• One third of ARD patients presented mental health issues during COVID-19 quarantine • Sleep problems were associated with emotional difficulties. • It is necessary to warn pediatric rheumatologists about the importance of sleep hygiene counseling.

Objectives To describe the frequency and investigate potential associations of unemployment, need of financial assistance and health-related quality of life in adult patients with childhood-onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (cSLE). Methods In this multicenter cross-sectional retrospective cohort study including cSLE adult patients, questionnaires were applied evaluating demographic characteristics, medical history, treatment, receipt of government financial assistance, work status, quality of life, economic classification, disease activity, and damage accrual. Disease activity and disease damage were measured at the study visit. Results Sixty-nine cSLE patients with a median age of 21 years from two Brazilian tertiary centers were included (median disease duration 9 years). Twenty-eight (40.6%) patients were unemployed and 16 (23.2%) were receiving financial assistance or retirement pension. Work unemployment was associated with higher damage scores (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.08 to 3.09, p = 0.024), and the need of financial assistance was associated with longer disease duration (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.31, p = 0.045) and worse economic score (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.99, p = 0.038). Emotional health and body image perception were the most compromised domains of quality of life but showed no association with disease parameters. Disease activity, on the other hand, was inversely associated with symptoms scores (β = −1.377, p = 0.014) and scores of adverse effects of medications (β = −1.286, p = 0.020). Conclusion cSLE is a disease with severe outcomes and high social burden that profoundly impacts patients. Damage accrual is a major contributor to unemployment during adulthood and its prevention must be central in the management of cSLE.