The associations among economic hardship, caregiver psychological distress, disease activity, and health-related quality of life in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Behavioral health outcomes and social determinants of health in children with diabetes and juvenile arthritis

Objective

Children with chronic illnesses, including arthritis, are at increased risk for adverse psychosocial outcomes influenced by social determinants of health (SDOH). Comparing psychosocial outcomes in families affected by juvenile arthritis compared to other chronic illnesses may help identify areas in need of special attention vs areas that may be addressed through adopting other disease examples' care models. We examined child and parent behavioral health outcomes for families with juvenile arthritis compared to diabetes, accounting for SDOH.

Methods

Secondary data analysis of the National Survey of Children's Health including 365 children (<18yrs) with arthritis and 571 children with diabetes. Psychosocial outcomes were depression, anxiety, ADHD, physical pain, behavioral problems, and treatment for mental health. School outcomes were school engagement, school absence, involvement in clubs/organization, and involvement in organized activities. Parent outcomes were family resilience, emotional support, coping with daily demands of raising a child, job change due to problems with childcare, and parent mental health. SDOH variables were food insecurity, food/cash assistance, unsafe neighborhood, detracting neighborhood elements, parent education, households earning <100% of the federal poverty line. Logistic regression analyses were utilized to examine variation in child and parent outcomes, variation in SDOH, and the role of SDOH.

Results

Children with arthritis experienced significantly more physical pain, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and behavior problems compared to children with diabetes. Children with arthritis were more likely to see a mental health professional and get treatment for problems with emotions/behaviors. When considering SDOH, children with arthritis were still more likely to experience adverse psychosocial outcomes but were no longer more likely to get treatment. Children with arthritis had increased likelihood of school absence and were less involved in organized activities than children with diabetes. Parents of children with arthritis had poorer mental health than parents of children with diabetes. SDOH were more prevalent in children with arthritis than children with diabetes.

Conclusions

Increased risk for adverse psychosocial outcomes in youth with arthritis compared to youth with diabetes indicates a need to mirror endocrinology models of care in rheumatology clinics. The role of SDOH highlights the need for regular SDOH screening in clinic.

Development and validation of the CAREGIVERS questionnaire: multi-assessing the impact of juvenile idiopathic arthritis on caregivers

BACKGROUND

The primary caregiver is an important person in the life of patients with JIA. Their reactions depend on social, emotional and economic factors that affect the therapeutic alliance. Some generic instruments have been used to evaluate burden, anxiety, or quality of life of caregivers. This study aims to develop a specific instrument to measure the psychosocial and economic impacts on primary caregivers of patients with JIA.

METHODOLOGY

This is a mixed methods research, that includes qualitative and quantitative data, and was carried out in two phases. First phase: a pragmatic qualitative study (questionnaire construction) was conducted in two parts, a non-systematic literature review followed by interviews with primary caregivers. Second phase: a cross-sectional study (questionnaire validation) to complete validation and estimate Cronbach's alphas based on tetrachoric correlation coefficients, correlation matrix and Cohen's kappa coefficient test.

RESULTS

There were 38 articles found related to the experience of caregivers. 15 primary caregivers were interviewed (female 93%, median age 45 years). Thematic analysis identified 9 important topics from the perspective of participants (economic impact, coping, family roles, impact of diagnosis, mental health, couple/mate relationships, impact at work, religion, and knowledge of the disease). These topics were combined to create the interview questionnaire (56 items). Later, it was modified to 62 items that were divided into five dimensions: impact of the disease (psychosocial, economic, family, and relationships), knowledge of the disease, alternative medicine, future, and religion. The interview questionnaire was applied to 32 primary caregivers (female 93%, median age 37 years), results identify depression on 29 (90%), 18 (56%) feel sadness at diagnosis, 20 (63%) mentioned that JIA has influenced in their financial situation, 23 (72%) feel anxiety about the future, and 11 (37%) considered that their family relationships have changed. Statistical analysis identified inconsistencies during convergent and divergent validity of the construct. Consequently, 11 items were eliminated, 3 relocated, 6 modified, and 39 compacted obtaining the "Impact of Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases on Caregivers Multi-assessment Questionnaire" (CAREGIVERS questionnaire). This final version resulted on an eight-dimension (28 items) instrument.

CONCLUSIONS

The CAREGIVERS questionnaire captures perspectives of both the participants and clinicians. It will be helpful to measure the impact of the disease and thus, to improve the quality of care of children with JIA and their families.

Validity and feasibility of the self-report EQ-5D-Y as a generic Health-Related Quality of Life outcome measure in children and adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in Western Cape, South Africa

Background

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) data together with clinical findings allow for monitoring of intervention efficacy and the effect on HRQoL. Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) experience symptoms often persisting into adulthood, emphasising the need to track HRQoL.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate psychometric properties of the EuroQol five-dimensional youth questionnaire (EQ-5D-Y) in children with JIA.

Methods

A cross-sectional, analytical study design was used. Children 8 to 15 years were recruited, completing the self-report EQ-5D-Y and two other HRQoL questionnaires. Known group validity was established by comparing the effect size between children with different disease severities. Concurrent validity was tested using Kruskal–Wallis to compare the ranking of scores on different questionnaires. Feasibility was assessed by number of missing responses and time to complete each questionnaire.

Results

All questionnaires were able to distinguish between children with different JIA severity. There was a significant difference in ranking of most Juvenile Arthritis Multidimensional Assessment Report dimension scores across EQ-5D-Y levels, (p < 0.05), indicating concurrent validity. There was poor concurrent validity with the PedsQL dimensions tested with EQ-5D-Y, except for ‘pain’ (p = 0.001). The EQ-5D-Y was the quickest to complete with no missing values.

Conclusion

This study showed that the EQ-5D-Y is valid and feasible in measuring HRQoL in JIA children and adequately responsive to detect change over time.

Clinical implications

It is quick and easy to use in a busy clinical setting, allowing for effective JIA management monitoring.

Gaps in Mental Health Care for Youth With Rheumatologic Conditions: A Mixed Methods Study of Perspectives From Behavioral Health Providers

OBJECTIVE

To identify behavioral health provider perspectives on gaps in mental health care for youth with rheumatologic conditions.

METHODS

Social workers (n = 34) and psychologists (n = 8) at pediatric rheumatology centers in the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) completed an online survey assessing current practices and mental health care needs of youth with rheumatologic conditions. Responses were compared to a published survey of CARRA rheumatologists (n = 119). Thematic analysis of 20 semi-structured interviews with behavioral health providers was performed.

RESULTS

One-third of CARRA centers (n = 100) had no affiliated social worker or psychologist. Only 1 behavioral health provider reported current universal mental health screening at their rheumatology clinic, yet routine depression screening was supported by >85% of behavioral health providers and rheumatologists. Support for anxiety screening was higher among behavioral health providers (90% versus 65%; P < 0.01). Interviews illustrated a need for interventions addressing illness-related anxiety, adjustment/coping/distress, transition, parent/caregiver mental health, and peer support. Limited resources, lack of protocols, and patient cost/time burden were the most frequent barriers to intervention. Inadequate follow-up of mental health referrals was indicated by 52% of providers. More behavioral health providers than rheumatologists favored mental health services in rheumatology settings (55% versus 19%; P < 0.01). Only 7 social workers (21%) provided counseling/therapy, and interviews indicated their perceived underutilization of these services.

CONCLUSION

Behavioral health providers indicated an unmet need for mental health interventions that address illness-related issues affecting youth with rheumatologic conditions. Implementation of mental health protocols and optimizing utilization of social workers may improve mental health care for these youth.

Mental health care for youth with rheumatologic diseases - bridging the gap

Youth with rheumatologic diseases have a high prevalence of comorbid mental health disorders. Individuals with comorbid mental health disorders are at increased risk for adverse outcomes related to mental health as well as their underlying rheumatologic disease. Early identification and treatment of mental health disorders has been shown to improve outcomes, but current systems of care fall short in providing adequate mental health services to those in need. Pediatric rheumatologists are uniquely positioned to provide mental health screening and intervention for youth with rheumatologic diseases due to the frequency of patient encounters and ongoing therapeutic relationship with patients and families. However, additional training is likely required for pediatric rheumatologists to provide effective mental health care, and focusing efforts on providing trainees with mental health education is key to building competency. Potential opportunities for improved mental health education include development of clinical guidelines regarding mental health screening and management within pediatric rheumatology settings and incorporation of mental health didactics, workshops, and interdisciplinary clinic experiences into pediatric rheumatology fellowship curricula. Additional steps include mental health education for patients and families and focus on system change, targeting integration of medical and mental health care. Research is needed to better define the scope of the problem, determine effective strategies for equipping pediatric rheumatologists with skills in mental health intervention, and develop and implement sustainable systems for delivery of optimal mental health care to youth with rheumatologic diseases.

Sociocultural Considerations in Juvenile Arthritis: A Review

PROBLEM

Juvenile Arthritis (JA) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases in children. A variety of sociocultural factors that influence health outcomes in children with JA have been examined in previous research. However, clinical guidelines to guide the care of these children lack support because this research has not been systematically examined and synthesized.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Primary research articles from five internet databases were included if they were peer-reviewed articles in English of studies conducted in the U.S. or Canada and referenced one or more determinants of health, quality of life, socioeconomic status, or health disparities in children with JA.

SAMPLE

The final sample included 16 articles representing 2139 children and 939 parents.

RESULTS

Topics covered in the studies included medication compliance, electronic medical records, environmental risk factors, economic hardship, parental coping, leisure activities, and their effects on patient outcomes including disability and quality of life. Patients with Medicaid experienced more severe outcomes than patients with private insurance despite equivalent levels of healthcare utilization. Other important topics, such as effects of the physical environment and alcohol use, were missing from the literature.

CONCLUSIONS

Five categories of health determinants were found to influence outcomes: biology, individual behaviors, social environment, physical environment, and health services. Disparities continue to exist for racial and ethnic minority children with JA and those of low socioeconomic status.

IMPLICATIONS

Sociocultural factors should be taken into consideration when developing care plans, research studies, and policies in order to remove barriers and promote the best outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Psychiatric morbidity and its correlates among informal caregivers of older adults

OBJECTIVE

This present study estimated the psychiatric morbidity among informal caregivers of older adults and investigated its association with their socio-demographic factors and older adult's health status, including dementia, depression and physical health conditions.

METHODS

Data from a national cross-sectional survey were used. For each participating older adult, an informal caregiver who 'knew the older adult best' and was aware of their health condition, was also interviewed to collect information on the older adults' care needs, and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Data from 693 pairs was used. Informal caregivers were administered the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ)-20 and psychiatric morbidity was defined as those with a total SRQ score of ≥8. Measures included informal caregivers' socio-demographic characteristics, assessment of dementia and depression in the older adults and self-report on their lifetime and current physical conditions. The association of socio-demographic characteristics, health conditions, care assistance and BPSD was investigated using backward stepwise logistic regression analysis where psychiatric morbidity (total SRQ score<or ≥8) was used as a dependent variable and all other variables served as independent covariates.

RESULTS

Among informal caregivers, 8.8% exhibited psychiatric morbidity. Higher proportions of spousal caregivers and caregivers of older adults having more care needs and BPSD exhibited psychiatric morbidity. After adjusting for all covariates, caregivers' marital status, and the presence of BPSD and dementia in the older adults were identified as the strongest correlates of caregivers' psychiatric morbidity. The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity was 10%, 13.9% and 12.7% respectively in these groups. Married caregivers had higher odds of psychiatric morbidity (OR 2.50, 95% CI: 1.13-5.52). In addition, caregivers of older adults' with any BPSD (OR 5.87, 95% CI: 2.60-13.24) and dementia (OR 2.28, 95% CI: 1.23-4.20) were also associated with higher odds of psychiatric morbidity.

CONCLUSION

Informal caregivers' marital status and presence of any BPSD and dementia in the older adults in their care were identified as the strongest correlates of caregivers' psychiatric morbidity. Clinicians should be cognizant of the risk in this group of caregivers and assess and intervene to alleviate caregivers' psychological problems.

Why we need a process on breaking news of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: a mixed methods study

BACKGROUND

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis is the most common chronic pediatric rheumatic disease. The announcement of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis poses for parents a number of challenges that make it hard to accept a diagnosis of the disease for their child; yet to our knowledge, no study to date has focused on the time period immediately surrounding the diagnosis. This study sets out to describe parents' experiences in engaging with their child's diagnosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

METHODS

This is a mixed methods study. Semi-structured interviews of families with a Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis child were conducted. A grounded-theory thematic analysis was performed. Items that emerged in the interviews were compiled into a self-administered questionnaire.

RESULTS

Eleven families participated in the qualitative study. Sixty families responded to the questionnaire. The path of parents was characterized by doubt (before, during and after diagnosis) while the disease tended to take center stage. Doubt was generated through mismatches in perspectives between the parents' circle of acquaintances, physicians, and the parents' own subjective experiences of symptoms. This study also found that social support and parent associations occupied an ambiguous position between help and stigmatization.

CONCLUSIONS

Doubt fuels self-energizing spirals that take root as parents learn the news that their child has Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. These spirals of doubt may influence parents' experiences at every stage throughout the course of disease. Our data support the implementation of a specific process dedicated to breaking the news of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis to parents.

A recurring rollercoaster ride: a qualitative study of the emotional experiences of parents of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

BACKGROUND

Despite the wealth of clinical research carried out in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), little is known about the emotional experiences of their parents. This article describes the predominant emotional experiences reported by parents of children with JIA in two Canadian cities.

METHODS

Research participants included 15 experienced parents and 8 novice parents (<6 months since children's JIA diagnosis). Their children were 2 to 16 years old with various JIA categories. A qualitative dataset including audio recordings and verbatim transcripts of three focus groups, and written reports of 59 reciprocal interviews (parents interviewing each other) were examined by a multidisciplinary research team following a four-step qualitative analytical process.

RESULTS

Parents of children with JIA experienced recurrent mixed negative and positive emotions that varied over time. Between disease onset and diagnosis, mounting anxiety, fear and confusion were the predominant emotions. Shortly after diagnosis there were shock, disbelief, and fear, with a sense of having being blindsided by the disease. At times of disease quiescence there was hope and gratitude, but also fatigue and frustration with ongoing treatment and fear of flares. During periods of increasing or ongoing symptoms there was admiration and sympathy for the courageous way children coped with JIA, as well as sorrow and frustration for ongoing pain and limitations. There were at times, frustration and indignation with peers and teachers unable to understand the child's fluctuations in physical activity and schoolwork. Throughout the disease, parents felt an underlying anxiety and powerlessness.

CONCLUSIONS

Parents of children with JIA described complex emotional journeys akin to the recurring ups and downs of rollercoaster rides, instead of ordered emotional phases ending in resolution. This has implications for healthcare providers who need to be aware of the complexity of these emotional journeys to support parents more effectively, thereby helping improve patient outcomes.

The Contribution of Parent and Family Variables to the Well-Being of Youth With Arthritis

Among developed countries, the reported prevalence of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) varies from 16 to 150 per 100,000. Previous reviews have identified risks faced by children with chronic conditions and indicate a relationship between parent/family characteristics and child adaptation. This analysis provides a mixed-methods synthesis of 29 research reports addressing the intersection of family life and JIA. Data were extracted using a structured template, and effect sizes were calculated for reported relationships between variables. Results were coded using a scheme that differentiated types of family factors. Meta-analysis revealed a moderately strong positive relationship between parent and child psychological functioning, and a medium negative relationship between family conflict and child psychosocial well-being, and parental depression and child physical functioning. Thematic analysis of qualitative results identified parenting challenges related to pain management and regimen demands. Results indicate that interventions to enhance parenting competence and family relationships may improve caregiver and patient outcomes.

Determinants of health-related quality of life impairment in Egyptian children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Sharkia Governorate

The aim of this study was to identify the possible determinants of impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Egyptian children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Fifty-eight consecutive patients of JIA aged from 8 to 18 years underwent assessment of socio-economic and demographic characteristics; HRQOL using Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scale, disease activity using the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score based on 27 joints (JADAS-27), functional ability using the childhood health assessment questionnaire (CHAQ), pain score on visual analog scale and psychological symptoms using the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) score. Multivariate modeling was applied to determine the factors that associated with HRQOL impairment. A total of 55 % of the patients (32 of 58) had impaired HRQOL (<78.6). In multiple regression analyses, high CHAQ scores (OR 6.0, 95 % CI 2.0-17.5, P = 0.001), pain (OR 3.1, 95 % CI 1.9-6.3, P = 0.01), stop going to school (OR 3.9, 95 % CI 2.0-7.3, P = 0.01), low socioeconomic status (OR 2.3, 95 % CI 1.09-4.7, P = 0.04) and high psychological symptoms (OR 4.2, 95 % CI 2.0-12.6, P = 0.001) were determinants for HRQOL impairment. HRQOL impairment is a significant problem in Egyptian children and adolescents with JIA. These findings underscore the critical need for monitoring of HRQOL in these patients. More attention should be given to JIA patients who stop going to school and who has low socioeconomic status.

Moroccan parents caring for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: positive and negative aspects of their experiences

BACKGROUND

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) can lead to serious disability in children and adolescents, requiring intensive home care usually provided by parents .These parents must also cope with physical, familial, social and financial constraints.The aim of this study is to evaluate the positive and negative impacts of caregiving on parents to children with JIA, and identify diseases-related variables that affect these outcomes.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study including 47 patients diagnosed with JIA defined by the International League of association for Rheumatology (ILAR) 2001 classification. Socio-demographic, clinical and biological data related to patient and disease were collected. Positive and negative effects of caregiving on parents of children with JIA were assessed via a validated instrument; the Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA).The CRA assesses parent's self-esteem, financial problems, health problems, disrupted schedule and lack of family support. All parents completed the CRA questionnaire. A statistical analysis was conducted to determine the influence of disease-related variables on caregivers.

RESULTS

Forty-seven patients were included with 40.4% female. The average patient age was 11 years, and a mean patient body mass index (BMI) was 18. Forty patients were in school. Median disease duration of JIA was 4 years. The most frequent arthritis subtype was persistent oligoarthritis in 12-patients. Nearly 15% had extra-articular manifestations most frequently ocular involvement (6.4%). Median of global Visual analogic scale (VAS) was 20 and median Child health assessment questionnaire (CHAQ) was 0. The primary caregiver was the mother for all patients. Mean maternal age was 38 years, 42% of mothers were illiterate, and nearly all (95%) were without employment. The mean values of different dimensions of the CRA were respectively: self-esteem 3.5, financial problems 3.7, health problem 2.4, disrupted schedule 3.6 and familial support 2.9. Disrupted schedule of parents was correlated with disease severity assessed by physician VAS (p = 0.02). Financial problems of parents were significantly associated with disease duration (p = 0.04). There was no significant association between the type of JIA, activity or severity of the disease and other dimensions of the CRA.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that the management of children with JIA has a high negative impact among caregiving parents, represented mainly by the disruption of their activities, the lack of family support, financial problems and health problems. However, caregiving often also improves caregiver's self-esteem (feeling of gratification to be helping).