Incidence, prevalence, and comorbidities of juvenile idiopathic arthritis in Germany: a retrospective observational cohort health claims database study

Abstract

Background Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) describes heterogenous categories of chronic inflammatory rheumatic conditions of unknown origin in children and adolescents. Epidemiological data in the literature vary, depending on geographic location, ethnicity and the case definition used. We evaluated epidemiology, especially that of the categories defined by the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR). Methods Using data from two different longitudinal health claims databases (WIG2 and InGef) from January 1st, 2013 to December 31st, 2019, we looked at patients aged 2 to 15 years old with at least one main inpatient or two secondary inpatient/verified outpatient ICD-10 diagnoses in at least two different quarters within one calendar year. We calculated prevalence and incidence (per 100,000 patients) and extrapolated data to the entire German population, looking at differences in gender and age groups. Additionally, we collected data on “other” not necessary comorbidities in our JIA patient population. Results Of the 3–4 million patients in the databases (respectively) in 2018, we found a total of 546 (WIG2) and 849 (InGef) patients that met our JIA case definition, with an incidence of 34 (29–41) and 60 (53–67) and prevalence of 133 (122–145) and 168 (157–179). Both incidence and prevalence throughout the age range were mostly higher in females than males, however the difference between females and males increased with increasing age. Of the ILAR categories, oligoarthritis was the most prevalent (70 and 91 per 100,000), with about half of our JIA patients in this category, followed by undifferentiated arthritis (49 and 56 cases per 100,000) and rheumatoid factor negative (RF-) (31 and 39 per 100,000). Incidence in 2018 was the highest in these three categories. Atopic dermatitis, vasomotor and allergic rhinitis, and uveitis were the pre-defined comorbidities seen most often in both databases. Conclusion This study provides current incidence and prevalence JIA data in Germany, contributing to knowledge on burden of disease and tools for healthcare planning.

Treatment Patterns in Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Retrospective Observational Health Claims Data Study

“…Our database is a claims database for billing purposes, without diagnostic results; to increase the certainty of the diagnosis, patients had to have at least one main inpatient or at least two verified outpatient diagnoses, in at least two different quarters, in 2014 and/or 2015. This case definition has been described in a previous publication of results on incidence, prevalence, and comorbidities from this study [24]. different quarters, in 2014 and/or 2015.…”

Level and correlates of physical activity among children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis compared to controls: results from a German nationwide prospective observational cohort study

“…Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a heterogeneous group of inflammatory diseases of unknown origin, with onset before the age of 16 years. JIA is the most common chronic rheumatic disease affecting the pediatric population, with prevalence numbers ranging from 2 to 20 per 100,000 in European countries and up to 168 per 100,000 in Germany [ 1 , 2 ]. Characterized by an overproduction of inflammatory cytokines at the joint level, JIA leads to a chronic inflammatory state accompanying joint pain, fatigue, stiffness and movement restrictions [ 3 ].…”

Facing Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases: The Role of Disease Activity and Parental Emotion Regulation Strategy in Parents’ and Children’s Psychological Adjustment

“…Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common PRD and affects approximately 1 in every 1000 children, with an incidence of 11 to 14 new cases per 100,000 children [4,5]. PRD symptomatology is characterized by a relapsing-remitting activity that may vary over time and includes pain, fatigue, and disability, which may also be associated with potential comorbidities [6,7] that can restrict family life, school attendance, and social activities [8].…”