The Epidemiological Profile of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Single Center Study in Delta Region of Egypt

Abstract

Background Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is children's most common autoimmune musculoskeletal disease. The spectrum of patients’ profiles of JIA showed many similarities and differences among different populations. Aim of the work The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence, subtypes, distribution, and characteristic features of JIA among children in Rheumatology outpatient clinic at Mansoura University Children's Hospital (MUCH). Patients and methods The study was a cross-sectional observational study carried out in the rheumatology outpatient clinic in Mansoura University children’s Hospital, on 73 patients diagnosed with JIA according to the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) from April 2019 to April 2020. Results There was a statistically significant difference between JIA types as regard age of patients, age of onset of disease, duration of the disease affected at the time of diagnosis, fever, rash, and organomegaly with the highest value in psoriatic type. There was a statistically significant difference in methotrexate (MTX), Humera, Enbrel, and Leflunomaide usage between JIA subtypes. The severity of the disease was correlated significantly with laboratory parameters including the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C reactive protein, and platelets count. MTX, Pulse steroid, Actemra, and Lefluonamide usage differed significantly according to the severity of the disease while Humera, Endoxan, Enbrel, and NSIAD showed no significant difference. Conclusion The types of JIA differ significantly from each other as regards fever, rash, and organomegaly with an increase in systemic onset rather than other types. While ophthalmic affection shows no significant difference between JIA subtypes. A low percentage of cases had uveitis indicating low severity of disease in the studied cases. Biological treatment was given to severe and resistant cases when indicated.