Quality of life in adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

This study examined quality of life (QOL) in adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). It determined that adults with JIA reported worse physical QOL than adults without JIA.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects the joints (connections between bones). JIA is a type of rheumatoid arthritis that begins before the age of 16 and has no known cause. The severity of JIA over time varies from person to person. There is limited data on QOL in adults with JIA. 

This study examined 176 adults with JIA. They were given a questionnaire and were examined by a physician 15 years and 30 years after they were diagnosed. The participant’s difficulty performing activities (physical limitations), pain, mental health-related QOL, and physical health-related QOL were examined. 90 people without JIA (controls) were also examined with a questionnaire. The controls were similar to the participants with JIA in terms of age and gender.

47% of participants with JIA were found to have physical limitations after 30 years. Patients without symptoms, who were also not taking medication, were less likely to have physical limitations. Those who had many joints affected by JIA were more likely to have physical limitations.

After 30 years, 47% of patients reported mild pain, and 19% had moderate to severe pain. Patients without symptoms who were not taking medication were less likely to report moderate to severe pain.

All participants with JIA had lower physical health-related QOL than the controls. Those who had physical limitations, pain, low well-being, and who were receiving disability or social living allowance were more likely to have lower physical health-related QOL. Those who had JIA and the controls were similar in terms of mental health related QOL.

Physical health-related QOL was lower after 30 years than after 15 years. Patients with lower well-being, fatigue, and physical limitations after 15 years were more likely to have lower physical health-related QOL after 30 years. 

The study concluded that patients with JIA experience pain and/or physical limitations long after the diagnosis. It also determined that physical health-related QOL was lower in people with JIA, and that this tended to decrease over time. 

The data in this study was largely reported by the participants. Data collected in this way is not always reliable, and may not apply to all individuals. 

Discuss the long-term effects of JIA with your physician.