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Background Adolescents and children nowadays are quite accustomed to using the Internet for personal, social, and educational purposes. The purpose of our study was to determine the point of view of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) regarding the impact of social media on their lives. Methods We interviewed 23 children and adolescents, diagnosed with JIA according to the classification criteria of the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR). Results The mean age of our group was 16 years, with a sex ratio of 3. Ninety-seven of our participants confirmed that they’re using social media, for a mean of 3 h per day. YouTube and Facebook came back as the first two preferred platforms: 82.6% and 69.6% respectively, followed by Instagram 30.4%, Tiktok 21.7, Snapchat 17.4% and Whatsapp 8.7%. Seventeen percent of children viewed these platforms as a positive and helpful in dealing with JIA, specially taking their mind of pain, dealing with the stress resulting from the lack of mobility and facilitating interactions with others. Interestingly, none of the participants considered online resources as a place to interact with health professionals or have access to information about JIA. Conclusions According to their perceptions, children with JIA can benefit from an online resource, which helps them cope with some aspects of their disease, especially taking their mind of pain. Therefore, if used properly by health professionals, these online sources may be a great opportunity to deliver simplified and useful medical information for children with JIA.

Background Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic disease of childhood. Uveitis is its most common extra-articular manifestation [1]. It is a potentially sight-threatening condition with a considerable risk of morbidity. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and characteristics of JIA-related uveitis in enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective study including 40 patients with JIA according to the classification criteria of the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR). All selected patients presented with ERA. A screening of uveitis was conducted in all patients. Clinical, radiologic and, biologic features of JIA were collected. We evaluated the association between these features and the presence of uveitis. Results The mean age of our patients was 24 years, with a sex ratio of 3. The mean age at the onset of JIA was 11 years. Upon screening, fifteen percent of the patients had active uveitis. Nine percent of the patients presented with an acute onset of JIA. Forty-six percent had initial spinal symptoms, while 26% presented with peripheral onset. Upon examination, 4% of the patients presented with monoarthritis, 20.4% with oligoarthritis and 34.8% with polyarthritis. Thirteen percent had enthesitis. Fifty-seven percent of the patients had coxitis. Sixty-eight percent had sacroiliitis. The mean CRP and ESR levels were respectively 16 mg/l and 34. Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) B27 screening came back positive in 11% of the cases. The mean BASDAI and BASFI levels were both at 4.7. The mean MASES was 0.44. Twenty percent of the patients received NSAIDs. Eleven percent received methotrexate, 18% salazopyrine and, 5.6% biologics. A significant association was established between the presence of uveitis and a polyarticular onset of JIA (P = 0.036). However, no significant associations were established with the sex of patients (P = 0.457), age of onset (P = 0.828), activity of the disease as evaluated by BASDAI (P = 0.40) and MASES (P = 0.87), inflammatory markers (CRP P = 0.946, and ESR P = 0.662), the use of NSAIDS (P = 1), methotrexate (P = 0.318), salazopyrine (P = 0.170) and biologics (P = 1). Conclusion In conclusion, uveitis associated with JIA is a serious and sight-threatening disease. Several factors associated with a more severe disease development have been identified [2–4]. Our study showed a significant association between the polyarticular onset of JIA and the occurrence of uveitis. Also, our study showed no significant association with male gender and HLA-B27 in children, unlike previous studies of spondyloarthritis conducted in adults [5–6]. We conclude that the screening of uveitis should be performed in all JIA patients, especially those presenting initially with polyarthritis.

Background Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and its related symptoms have been associated with interference in the daily life of children and adolescents with JIA including their friendships, their school attendance and sometimes their family life. The aim of the study was to describe the impact of JIA on schooling, social and family life from the point of view of children. Methods We interviewed 23 children and adolescents, diagnosed with JIA according to the classification criteria of the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR). Results The mean age of our group was 16 years, with a sex ratio of 3. Eight percent of the children were in elementary school, 21.7% in high school and 8.7% in university. Eighty-seven per cent reported school absenteeism due to JIA (pain, being hospitalized,) with a mean of 8 missed school days. Forty-three per cent failed in their schooling at some point. Thirty percent thought it was related to the consequences of their disease. Only 47.8% found the school staff to be helpful and supportive. Seventy eight percent felt understood and supported by their family in dealing with the different aspects of JIA. Twenty-six per cent felt more spoiled than their other siblings, creating tension sometimes. Fifty two percent felt different and not accepted by their peers because of the JIA. Conclusions Children with JIA are already suffering from the physical aspect of their disease. Initiating an open discussion with them might reduce the burden these children are carrying often in silence, and improve long-term outcomes in terms of schooling, social and, family life.

BackgroundJuvenile idiopathic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition interfering with daily activities, social integration and scholar attendance in children because of pain and joint inflammation during disease flares. Online resources might help children with JIA improve their social interactions and enhance their knowledge about their disease and the available therapeutic strategies. This study aims to reveal the social issues encountered by teenagers prone to JIA and determine their perception about the impact of social media on their daily life.Methods: We conducted phone interviews with children suffering from JIA, aged between 8-16 years old. Results:Individual interviews were held with 22 adolescents diagnosed with JIA. Fifty-two percent felt like outcasts and rejected by their peers because of their illness. Most of the participants expressed a need for their friends to be informed about their JIA diagnosis. Twenty-two-point seven percent stated playing sports for more than 5 hours a week. 31.8% found their physical performance not affected by their disease. Ninety-seven of the participants confirmed that they’re using social media on average 3 hours a day. YouTube and Facebook were ranked respectively as the first and the second preferred platforms. Seventeen percent of children viewed these platforms as positive and helpful in dealing with JIA, especially by taking their mind off of the pain, dealing with the stress resulting from the lack of mobility, and facilitating interactions with others.Conclusion: Social integration in children with JIA is still challenging. Social media is a helpful tool to relieve pain and improve children’s social interactions.

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