Growth patterns in early juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Results from the Childhood Arthritis Prospective Study (CAPS)

Identifying factors associated with substantially reduced adult height in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), an autoimmune disease affecting children or adolescents and causing joint or systemic symptoms, reportedly has a negative effect on the patients' body height. This study aimed to identify factors attributable to substantially reduced adult height (SRAH) in JIA patients.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective cohort study included patients from 2009 to 2019 in Taiwan. We collected JIA patients aged > 18 years at enrollment with a definite diagnosis and undergoing regular outpatient clinic follow-up or disease remission. Target height difference (THD), defined by adult height minus mid-parental height, was calculated for each patient. The calculation results yielded two groups, of which positive THD was defined as the optimal height (OH group) and those with THD below two standardized deviations as the SRAH group. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Of 92 JIA patients, 57 and 12 were in the OH and the SRAH groups. Earlier disease onset, especially before the six-year-old, was noted in the SRAH group (p = 0.026). The distribution of JIA subtypes differed significantly between the two groups (p < 0.001); enthesis-related arthritis was the commonest subtype in the OH group, and systemic JIA was the commonest in the SRAH group. Half of the patients in the SRAH group had an active disease status at enrollment, which was higher than the OH group (50.0% vs. 21.1%, p = 0.066). More patients in the SRAH group had received orthopedic surgery due to JIA (25% vs. 3.5%, p = 0.034). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that SRAH was independently related to systemic JIA (OR = 37.6, 95%CI 1.2-1210.5; p = 0.041).

CONCLUSION

The subtype of systemic JIA, with its characteristics of early disease onset and active disease status, was the essential factor that significantly impacted adult height.

Using Digital Health Technologies to Monitor Pain, Medication Adherence and Physical Activity in Young People with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Feasibility Study

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis can be influenced by pain, medication adherence, and physical activity. A new digital health intervention, InteractiveClinics, aims to monitor these modifiable risk factors. Twelve children, aged 10 to 18 years, received daily notifications on a smartwatch to record their pain levels and take their medications, using a customised mobile app synchronised to a secure web-based platform. Daily physical activity levels were automatically recorded by wearing a smartwatch. Using a quantitative descriptive research design, feasibility and user adoption were evaluated. The web-based data revealed the following: Pain: mean app usage: 68% (SD 30, range: 28.6% to 100%); pain score: 2.9 out of 10 (SD 1.8, range: 0.3 to 6.2 out of 10). Medication adherence: mean app usage: 20.7% (SD, range: 0% to 71.4%), recording 39% (71/182) of the expected daily and 37.5% (3/8) of the weekly medications. Pro-re-nata (PRN) medication monitoring: 33.3% (4/12), one to six additional medications (mean 3.5, SD 2.4) for 2-6 days. Physical activity: watch wearing behaviour: 69.7% (439/630), recording low levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (mean: 11.8, SD: 13.5 min, range: 0-47 min). To conclude, remote monitoring of real-time data is feasible. However, further research is needed to increase adoption rates among children.

UNICORNS: Uveitis in childhood prospective national cohort study protocol

Background: Childhood uveitis is a rare inflammatory eye disease which is typically chronic, relapsing-remitting in nature, with an uncertain aetiology (idiopathic). Visual loss occurs due to structural damage caused by uncontrolled inflammation. Understanding of the determinants of long term outcome is lacking, including the predictors of therapeutic response or how to define disease control. Aims: To describe disease natural history and outcomes amongst a nationally representative group of children with non-infectious uveitis, describe the impact of disease course on quality of life for both child and family, and identify determinants of adverse visual, structural and developmental outcomes. Methods: UNICORNS is a prospective longitudinal multicentre cohort study of children newly diagnosed with uveitis about whom a core minimum clinical dataset will be collected systematically. Participants and their families will also complete patient-reported outcome measures annually from recruitment. The association of patient (child- and treatment- dependent) characteristics with outcome will be investigated using logistic and ordinal regression models which incorporate adjustment for within-child correspondence between eyes for those with bilateral disease and repeated outcomes measurement. Discussion: Through this population based, prospective longitudinal study of childhood uveitis, we will describe the characteristics of childhood onset disease. Early (1-2 years following diagnosis) outcomes will be described in the first instance, and through the creation of a national inception cohort, longer term studies will be enabled of outcome for affected children and families.

"Neuroimmunoendocrinology" in Children with Rheumatic Diseases: How Glucocorticoids Are the Orchestra Director

The neural, the endocrine, and the immune systems are studied as distinct districts in physiological and pathological settings. However, these systems must be investigated with an integrative approach, while also considering that therapeutic agents, such as glucocorticoids, can induce a reversible or irreversible change of this homeostasis. Children and adolescents affected by rheumatic diseases frequently need treatment with corticosteroids, and the treatment must sometimes be continued for a long time. In the biological era, the treat-to-target strategy allowed a real revolution in treatment, with significant steroid dose sparing or, in many patients, steroid treatment withdrawal. In this review, the impact of glucocorticoids on endocrine, immune, and neurologic targets is analyzed, and the crosstalk between these systems is highlighted. In this narrative review, we explore the reasoning as to why glucocorticoids can disrupt this homeostasis, we summarize some of the key results supporting the impact of glucocorticoids treatment on endocrine, immune, and neurologic systems, and we discuss the data reported in the international literature.

Nutritional Aspects of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: An A to Z for Dietitians

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) represents a chronic, autoimmune, rheumatic musculoskeletal disease with a diagnosis before 16 years of age. Chronic arthritis is a common manifestation in all JIA subtypes. The nature of JIA, in combination to its therapy often results in the development of nutrition-, gastrointestinal (GI)- or metabolic-related issues. The most-common therapy-related nutritional issues involve methotrexate (MTX) and glucocorticosteroids (GCC) adverse events. MTX is a folic acid antagonist, thus supplementation with folic acid in required for improving GI side effects and correcting low serum levels. On the other hand, long-term GCC administration is often associated with hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and growth delay. This relationship is further aggravated when more joints are affected and greater doses of GCC are being administered. Apart from stature, body mass index z-scores are also suboptimal in JIA. Other signs of malnutrition include decreased phase angle and muscle mass, especially among patients with polyarthritis JIA. Evidence also points to the existence of an inverse relationship between disease activity and overweight/obesity. Specific dietary patterns, including the anti-inflammatory diet, might confer improvements in selected JIA outcomes, but the level of available research is yet insufficient to draw safe conclusions. The majority of patients exhibit suboptimal vitamin D status; hence, supplementation is recommended. Collectively, the evidence indicates that, due to the age of onset and the complexity of the disease, along with its pharmacotherapy, children with JIA are prone to the development of several nutritional problems, warranting expert monitoring. Vitamin deficiencies, oral and GI-problems limiting dietary intake, faltering growth, overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, or impaired bone health are among the many nutritional issues in JIA requiring dietitian support.

Association Between Patient‐Reported Outcomes and Treatment Failure in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Objective

Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) frequently exhibit symptoms months before diagnosis. The aims of this study were to assess whether baseline patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) are associated with changes in JIA pharmacotherapy treatment and whether symptom duration prior to JIA diagnosis is associated with disease activity scores over time.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with an incident diagnosis of JIA. Patient‐reported symptom duration, pain, energy, disease activity, sleep, anxiety, and depression screenings, as well as provider‐reported disease activity and joint count, were collected during routine clinical care. Cox proportional hazards evaluated PROs, disease activity scores, and symptom duration with initial medication failure within 9 months of diagnosis. Multivariate mixed effects linear regression evaluated the association of symptom duration with disease activity scores.

Results

There were 58 children (66% female, 35% oligoarticular JIA) in the cohort. Nearly half of patients failed initial therapy within 9 months. Unadjusted analysis showed that higher energy (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69‐0.99; P = 0.04) and longer symptom duration (HR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.93‐0.99; P = 0.03) at diagnosis were protective against medication failure. Adjusted analysis showed that symptom duration prior to diagnosis was protective against medication failure (HR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.92‐0.99; P = 0.02); there was no association between medication failure and pain, psychiatric symptoms, or disease activity scores. There was a positive association with longer symptom duration and higher disease activity at 30 and 60 days, but this was not sustained.

Conclusion

Higher energy levels and longer symptom duration are protective against initial JIA treatment failures. Initial treatments informed by patient‐reported data could lead to more successful outcomes by changes in treatment paradigms.

Fifteen-minute guide to managing oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic rheumatic disease affecting children and young people today. However, it is not a single disease entity, but an umbrella term that gathers together a heterogeneous collection of complex, chronic inflammatory conditions with oligoarticular JIA the most common form in both Europe and North America. Due to its relative rarity in daily practice and potential to mimic other conditions, oligoarticular JIA can present a diagnostic and management challenge to healthcare professionals in both primary care and general paediatrics. The aim of this article is to provide a summary of the key aspects of diagnosis, investigation and management of this condition, with the hopes of building clinicians' confidence when facing a possible case of oligoarticular JIA.

Lef1 ablation alleviates cartilage mineralization following posttraumatic osteoarthritis induction

Cartilage mineralization is imperative in various processes such as skeletal growth and fracture repair. However, this process may also be pathological, as in the case of the degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis (OA). Using a posttraumatic OA model (PTOA), we find that cartilage-specific Sirt1 genetic nulls caused severe synovitis and mineralization of the lateral joint compartment, due to augmented Lef1 gene expression. Conversely, cartilage-specific Lef1 nulls exhibited impaired synovitis and mineralization of the lateral joint, accompanied by a reduction of local pain. Consistently, transcriptomic profiles of Lef1-ablated chondrocytes exhibited enhanced anabolism, yet impaired pathways related to calcification and inflammation. Accordingly, cartilage mineralization of the lateral joint compartment relies on amplified inflammatory pathways, contributing to articular damage following PTOA.

Cartilage mineralization is a tightly controlled process, imperative for skeletal growth and fracture repair. However, in osteoarthritis (OA), cartilage mineralization may impact the joint range of motion, inflict pain, and increase chances for joint effusion. Here we attempt to understand the link between inflammation and cartilage mineralization by targeting Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 (LEF1), both reported to have contrasting effects on cartilage. We find that inflammatory-dependent cleavage of SIRT1 or its cartilage-specific genetic ablation, directly enhanced LEF1 expression accompanied by a catabolic response. Applying a posttraumatic OA (PTOA) model to cartilage-specific Sirt1 nulls displayed severe OA, which was accompanied by synovitis, meniscal mineralization, and osteophyte formation of the lateral joint compartment. Alternatively, cartilage-specific Lef1 nulls presented reduced lateral mineralization, OA severity, and local pain. Differential gene expression analysis revealed that Lef1 ablation reduced nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and Toll-like receptor (Tlr) pathways, while enhancing SRY-Box transcription factor 9 (Sox9) and cartilaginous extracellular matrix genes. The results support a link between inflammation and Lef1-dependent cartilage mineralization, mediated by the inactivation of Sirt1. By ablating Lef1 in a PTOA model, the structural and pain-related phenotypes of OA were reduced, in part, by preventing cartilage mineralization of the lateral joint compartment, partially manifested by meniscal tissue mineralization. Overall, these data provide a molecular axis to link between inflammation and cartilage in a PTOA model.

Effectiveness of eHealth and mHealth Interventions Supporting Children and Young People Living With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) management aims to promote remission through timely, individualized, well-coordinated interdisciplinary care using a range of pharmacological, physical, psychological, and educational interventions. However, achieving this goal is workforce-intensive. Harnessing the burgeoning eHealth and mobile health (mHealth) interventions could be a resource-efficient way of supplementing JIA management.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aims to identify the eHealth and mHealth interventions that have been proven to be effective in supporting health outcomes for children and young people (aged 1-18 years) living with JIA.

METHODS

We systematically searched 15 databases (2018-2021). Studies were eligible if they considered children and young people (aged 1-18 years) diagnosed with JIA, an eHealth or mHealth intervention, any comparator, and health outcomes related to the used interventions. Independently, 2 reviewers screened the studies for inclusion and appraised the study quality using the Downs and Black (modified) checklist. Study outcomes were summarized using a narrative, descriptive method and, where possible, combined for a meta-analysis using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Of the 301 studies identified in the search strategy, 15 (5%) fair-to-good-quality studies met the inclusion criteria, which identified 10 interventions for JIA (age 4-18.6 years). Of these 10 interventions, 5 (50%) supported symptom monitoring by capturing real-time data using health applications, electronic diaries, or web-based portals to monitor pain or health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Within individual studies, a preference was demonstrated for real-time pain monitoring over recall pain assessments because of a peak-end effect, improved time efficiency (P=.002), and meeting children's and young people's HRQoL needs (P<.001) during pediatric rheumatology consultations. Furthermore, 20% (2/10) of interventions supported physical activity promotion using a web-based program or a wearable activity tracker. The web-based program exhibited a moderate effect, which increased endurance time, physical activity levels, and moderate to vigorous physical activity (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.60, SD 0.02-1.18; I²=79%; P=.04). The final 30% (3/10) of interventions supported self-management development through web-based programs, or apps, facilitating a small effect, reducing pain intensity (SMD -0.14, 95% CI -0.43 to 0.15; I²=53%; P=.33), and increasing disease knowledge and self-efficacy (SMD 0.30, 95% CI 0.03-0.56; I²=74%; P=.03). These results were not statistically significant. No effect was seen regarding pain interference, HRQoL, anxiety, depression, pain coping, disease activity, functional ability, or treatment adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence that supports the inclusion of eHealth and mHealth interventions in JIA management is increasing. However, this evidence needs to be considered cautiously because of the small sample size, wide CIs, and moderate to high statistical heterogeneity. More rigorous research is needed on the longitudinal effects of real-time monitoring, web-based pediatric rheumatologist-children and young people interactions, the comparison among different self-management programs, and the use of wearable technologies as an objective measurement for monitoring physical activity before any recommendations that inform current practice can be given.

Pediatric uveitis: Role of the pediatrician

The challenges of childhood uveitis lie in the varied spectrum of its clinical presentation, the often asymptomatic nature of disease, and the evolving nature of the phenotype alongside normal physiological development. These issues can lead to delayed diagnosis which can cause significant morbidity and severe visual impairment. The most common ocular complications include cataracts, band keratopathy, glaucoma, and macular oedema, and the various associated systemic disorders can also result in extra-ophthalmic morbidity. Pediatricians have an important role to play. Their awareness of the various presentations and etiologies of uveitis in children afford the opportunity of prompt diagnosis before complications arise. Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is one of the most common associated disorders seen in childhood uveitis, but there is a need to recognize other causes. In this review, different causes of uveitis are explored, including infections, autoimmune and autoinflammatory disease. As treatment is often informed by etiology, pediatricians can ensure early ophthalmological referral for children with inflammatory disease at risk of uveitis and can support management decisions for children with uveitis and possible underling multi-system inflammatory disease, thus reducing the risk of the development of irreversible sequelae.

Longitudinal growth patterns and final height in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

Patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) are at risk of becoming short adults. To evaluate the growth patterns and risk factors of short final height, a retrospective study was conducted in 97 patients (87 females, 90%) with cSLE who grew from the time of diagnosis and reached their final height. The primary outcome was the final height. Participants were divided into participants with short final height (final height standard deviation score (HSDS) < - 2, n = 22, 23%) and participants with normal final height (final HSDS ≥ - 2, n = 75, 77%). At diagnosis, the mean age was 11.3 ± 2.4 years and HSDS was - 0.5 ± 1.3. The participants reached the final height of 1.51 ± 0.08 m (final HSDS - 1.3 ± 0.1) at mean age of 16.2 ± 2.3 years. The HSDS of participants with short final height steadily declined throughout the course of SLE (p = 0.02), and were significantly lower than participants with normal final height at any time point (p < 0.001). In participants with normal final height, HSDS significantly declined from baseline until 2 years after diagnosis (p = 0.01), and then became stable thereafter. The independent risk factors for short final height were the male sex, short stature at diagnosis, low body weight at final height, and cumulative corticosteroid dose.Conclusion: A substantial number of the participants with cSLE became short adults. Adequate nutrition and corticosteroid minimization should be emphasized in patients at high risk for short final height. What is known? • Growth failure is common in SLE due to many risk factors including chronic inflammation, malnutrition, and long-term use of corticosteroids. • In comparison to growth failure, final height is a better indicator of growth as the prevalence of growth failure is variable depending on definitions, patient age and pubertal status. What is new? • Nearly one fourth of children with SLE have short final height. • The independent risk factors for short final height were the male sex, short stature at diagnosis, low body weight at final height, and cumulative corticosteroid dose.

A systematic review exploring the bidirectional relationship between puberty and autoimmune rheumatic diseases

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) are associated with a significant sex-bias, which becomes more evident post-puberty. This systematic review aims to elucidate the bidirectional relationship between puberty and ARD-related outcomes.

METHODS

Studies published in English until October 2019 were identified using a systematic search of endocrinology and rheumatology literature. Information was extracted on study design, sample size, demographics, puberty outcome measures, disease outcome measures, and main findings. The methodological quality of the studies included was analysed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).

RESULTS

Sixteen non-randomised studies reporting on the impact of puberty on ARD outcomes (n = 7), ARD impact on puberty-related outcomes (n = 8), or both (n = 1) have been identified. The impact of puberty on ARD outcomes were investigated in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis (n = 1), juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) (n = 5) or in healthy controls who developed adult-onset SLE (n = 1) or had non-specific symptoms (n = 1). The impact of ARD on puberty outcomes was explored in JIA (n = 4) and JSLE (n = 3). Quality assessment of studies showed a small to moderate risk of bias overall (NOS 4-9/9). Due to large heterogeneity of the studies it was not possible to perform a meta-analysis. Multiple studies reported on delayed puberty in patients with JIA/JSLE, menstrual and hormonal abnormalities, and lower height and weight than controls. Earlier (pre-pubertal) onset of JSLE was correlated with more severe disease and more need for systemic treatment.

CONCLUSION

A bidirectional relationship exists between puberty and ARDs; however, more and better research is required to elucidate the complexity of this relationship. We propose puberty-related clinical assessments in patients with ARDs, which can improve patient outcomes and facilitate future research.

Growth and puberty in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in children, with an annual incidence of 2-20 cases per 100,000 and a prevalence of 16-150 per 100,000. It is associated with several complications that can cause short-term or long-term disability and reduce the quality of life. Among these, growth and pubertal disorders play an important role. Chronic inflammatory conditions are often associated with growth failure ranging from slight decrease in height velocity to severe forms of short stature. The prevalence of short stature in JIA varies from 10.4% in children with polyarticular disease to 41% of patients with the systemic form, while oligoarthritis is mostly associated with localized excessive bone growth of the affected limb, leading to limb dissymmetry. The pathogenesis of growth disorders is multifactorial and includes the role of chronic inflammation, long-term use of corticosteroids, undernutrition, altered body composition, delay of pubertal onset or slow pubertal progression. These factors can exert a systemic effect on the GH/IGF-1 axis and on the GnRH-gonadotropin-gonadic axis, or a local influence on the growth plate homeostasis and function. Although new therapeutic options are available to control inflammation, there are still 10-20% of patients with severe forms of the disease who show continuous growth impairment, ending in a short final stature. Moreover, delayed puberty is associated with a reduction in the peak bone mass with the possibility of concomitant or future bone fragility. Monitoring of puberty and bone health is essential for a complete health assessment of adolescents with JIA. In these patients, an assessment of the pubertal stage every 6 months from the age of 9 years is recommended. Also, linear growth should be always evaluated considering the patient's bone age. The impact of rhGH therapy in children with JIA is still unclear, but it has been shown that if rhGH is added at high dose in a low-inflammatory condition, post steroids and on biologic therapy, it is able to favor a prepubertal growth acceleration, comparable with the catch-up growth response in GH-deficient patients. Here we provide a comprehensive review of the pathogenesis of puberty and growth disorders in children with JIA, which can help the pediatrician to properly and timely assess the presence of growth and pubertal disorders in JIA patients.

Evaluation of impaired growth plate development of long bones in skeletally immature mice by antirheumatic agents

Restriction of physical growth and development is a known problem in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). However, the effect of medical treatment for JIA on skeletal growth in affected children has not been properly investigated. We, therefore, hypothesize that naproxen and methotrexate (MTX) affect endochondral ossification and will lead to reduced skeletal development. Treatment of ATDC5 cells, an in vitro model for endochondral ossification, with naproxen or MTX resulted in increased chondrogenic but decreased hypertrophic differentiation. In vivo, healthy growing C57BL/6 mice were treated with naproxen, MTX, or placebo for 10 weeks. At 15 weeks postnatal, both the length of the tibia and the length of the femur were significantly reduced in the naproxen- and MTX-treated mice compared to their controls. Growth plate analysis revealed a significantly thicker proliferative zone, while the hypertrophic zone was significantly thinner in both experimental groups compared to their controls, comparable to the in vitro results. Micro-computed tomography analysis of the subchondral bone region directly below the growth disc showed significantly altered bone microarchitecture in naproxen and MTX groups. In addition, the involvement of the PTHrP-Ihh loop in naproxen- and MTX-treated cells was shown. Overall, these results demonstrate that naproxen and MTX have a profound effect on endochondral ossification during growth plate development, abnormal subchondral bone morphology, and reduced bone length. A better understanding of how medication influences the development of the growth plate will improve understanding of endochondral ossification and reveal possibilities to improve the treatment of pediatric patients.

Calibration and validation of accelerometry using cut-points to assess physical activity in paediatric clinical groups: A systematic review

Regular physical activity is associated with physiological and psychosocial benefits in both healthy and clinical populations. However, little is known about tailoring the analysis of physical activity using accelerometers to the specific characteristics of chronic conditions. Whilst accelerometry is broadly used to assess physical activity, recommendations on calibration in paediatric clinical groups are warranted. The aim of this systematic review was to provide a critical overview of protocols used to calibrate accelerometry in children and adolescents with clinical conditions, as well as to develop recommendations for calibration and validation of accelerometry in such populations. The search was performed between March to July 2017 using text words and subject headings in six databases. Studies had to develop moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) cut-points for paediatric clinical populations to be included. Risk of bias was assessed using a specific checklist. A total of 540,630 titles were identified, with 323 full-text articles assessed. Five studies involving 347 participants aged 9 to 15 years were included. Twenty-four MVPA cut-points were reported across seven clinical conditions, 16 of which were developed for different models of ActiGraph, seven for Actical and one for Tritrac-R3D. Statistical approaches included mixed regression, machine learning and receiver operating characteristic analyses. Disease-specific MVPA cut-points ranged from 152 to 735 counts·15 s-1, with lower cut-points found for inherited muscle disease and higher cut-points associated with intellectual disabilities. The lower MVPA cut-points for diseases characterised by both ambulatory and metabolic impairments likely reflect the higher energetic demands associated with those conditions.

Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis update

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Steroid-induced osteoporosis or glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) is a common form of secondary osteoporosis and is a cause of increased morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of GIOP includes decreased bone formation and increased bone resorption. Clinicians can rely on several effective medications for the treatment and prevention of GIOP, including antiresorptive drugs (i.e. bisphosphonates) and bone anabolic drugs (i.e. teriparatide).

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies have further highlighted that GIOP is a major public health concern and have provided new insights on the pathogenesis of GIOP, in particular, the dose-dependent effects of glucocorticoids on bone. New evidence on the real-world effectiveness of established GIOP therapies have been recently published as well as the results of the 24-months denosumab randomized controlled trial in GIOP.

SUMMARY

GIOP and fragility fractures are important adverse events related to the long-term use of glucocorticoids. Recent studies have provided additional data on the epidemiology and pathogenesis of GIOP and on the efficacy and effectiveness of GIOP therapies.

Is axial magnetic resonance imaging useful in early juvenile spondyloarthritis-preliminary report

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended for evaluation of changes in juvenile spondyloarthropathies (JSpA). To our knowledge, there is no previous prospective study analysing early changes on axial MRI. The objective is to investigate incidence of reparable changes on axial MRI in patients with established JSpA, lasting for less than 6 months.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The pilot study included 27 patients with confirmed diagnosis of JSpA examined within 2 years. Prior to imaging, basic demographic and laboratory data and HLA-B27 were collected. Patients filled out a visual analogue scale for pain and a childhood health assessment questionnaire. A paediatric rheumatologist and a paediatric physiatrist examined patients and measured indices of flexion, extension and sagittal flexibility. Contrast-enhanced axial MRI examination and cervical x-ray were performed. Three experienced paediatric radiologists independently reviewed x-ray and MRI images of all patients.

RESULTS

There was no significant correlation between early changes detected on MRI and other parameters. The study revealed early changes of the cervical spine to be the most common finding. More patients had positive cervical MRI than positive sacroiliac joint (SIJ) MRI. Cervical x-ray and MRI were equally useful for diagnosis regardless of other parameters.

CONCLUSION

Study showed new information on axial involvement, striking cervical spine as the most involved part. The biggest study limitation is the small number of patients. Establishing early JSpA diagnosis is of utmost importance, especially in the light of novel therapy introduced in every day practice. It seems that cervical spine involvement is more represented than previously described in literature, especially in comparison with SIJ. Key Points • Contrast-enhanced MRI is considered the gold standard for detection early changes in JSpA. • Standardization of diagnostic criteria and better classification of changes using the unique scoring system for children are necessary. • It seems that cervical spine involvement is more represented than previously described in the literature, especially in comparison with SIJ involvement.

Fatigue in inflammatory rheumatic disorders: pathophysiological mechanisms

Today, inflammatory rheumatic disorders are effectively treated, but many patients still suffer from residual fatigue. This work presents pathophysiological mechanisms of fatigue. First, cytokines can interfere with neurotransmitter release at the preterminal ending. Second, a long-term increase in serum concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines increase the uptake and breakdown of monoamines (serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine). Third, chronic inflammation can also decrease monoaminergic neurotransmission via oxidative stress (oxidation of tetrahydrobiopterin [BH4]). Fourth, proinflammatory cytokines increase the level of enzyme indoleamine-2, 3-dioxygenase activity and shunt tryptophan away from the serotonin pathway. Fifth, oxidative stress stimulates astrocytes to inhibit excitatory amino acid transporters. Sixth, astrocytes produce kynurenic acid that acts as an antagonist on the α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor to inhibit dopamine release. Jointly, these actions result in increased glutamatergic and decreased monoaminergic neurotransmission. The above-described pathophysiological mechanisms negatively affect brain functioning in areas that are involved in fatigue.

Glucocorticoid treatment in juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic rheumatic disease of joints in childhood. Glucocorticoids are being used in JIA treatment effectively for decades. Although systemic glucocorticoid use decreased with the introduction of biologic drugs, intraarticular glucocorticoid injections (IAGI) with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and non-biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) still remain the primary treatment in JIA, especially in oligoarticular subcategory. Systemic glucocorticoids are used mainly for severe JIA-associated complications such as macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), myocarditis, pericarditis, pleuritis, peritonitis, and severe anemia; as bridging therapy while waiting for the full therapeutic effect of DMARDs; and in certain occasions for patients with severe refractory uveitis. Since glucocorticoid administration is associated with many adverse events, it is important to use glucocorticoids in an optimum way balancing the risks and benefits. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on glucocorticoid treatment in JIA. A comprehensive literature search was conducted utilizing the Cochrane Library and MEDLINE/PubMed databases. The main topics include mechanism of action, dose, duration, adverse events, vaccination during glucocorticoid treatment, the place of glucocorticoids in JIA treatment guidelines and consensus treatment plans, glucocorticoid use in JIA-associated uveitis, MAS, and IAGI. Data from the literature provide guidance on how to use glucocorticoids in JIA treatment especially for IAGI and systemic use in systemic JIA and MAS. However, there is lack of evidence and need for prospective randomized studies in most parts including the indications in different JIA subcategories, optimum dose/route of administration/duration of treatment, and tapering strategies.