Health-related quality of life and psychosocial developmental trajectory in young female beneficiaries with JIA

The effects of inspiratory muscle training on cardiorespiratory functions in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: A randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Although inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has proven effective in adult rheumatic diseases, its impact on juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) remains unexplored. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of IMT in children with JIA.

METHODS

Thirty-three children (13-18 years) with JIA were divided into two groups as exercise (n = 17) and control (n = 16). The exercise group performed IMT at home daily for 8 weeks. The initial IMT load was set as 60% of maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax ) and increased by %10 of the initial load every 2 weeks. The control group received no additional intervention. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 ), FVC/FEV1 , PImax , and maximal expiratory pressure (PEmax ) were evaluated. Peak oxygen consumption (VO2max ), metabolic equivalents (METs), and maximal heart rate were measured with cardiopulmonary exercise test. Functional capacity and quality of life were assessed with 6-min walk distance and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 3.0 Arthritis Module. All participants were evaluated at baseline and post-treatment.

RESULTS

FVC ( ↑ 0.20 (95% CI: 0.07/0.32) liters), FEV1 ( ↑ 0.14 (95% CI: 0.02/0.25) liters), PImax (↑19.11 (95% CI: 9.52/28.71) cmH2 O), PEmax (↑12.41 (95% CI: 3.09/21.72) cmH2 O), VO2peak (↑158.29 (95% CI: 63.85/252.73) ml/min), and METs (↑0.92 (95% CI: 0.34/1.49) [ml/kg/min]) significantly improved only in the exercise group (p < .05). The difference over time in FVC, FEV1 , PImax , VO2peak , and METs were significantly higher in exercise group compared to control group (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

IMT seems to be an effective option for improving respiratory functions and aerobic exercise capacity in JIA.

Population Pharmacokinetics of Infliximab in Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

BACKGROUND

The recommended infliximab (IFX) dose in (pediatric) rheumatology practice is 3-6 mg/kg every 4-8 weeks. Higher dosage regimens (>10 mg/kg) of IFX are effective and safe. To optimize IFX treatment in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), therapeutic drug monitoring might be beneficial. To support routine therapeutic drug monitoring of IFX and regimen optimization for patients with JIA, in-depth knowledge of the pharmacokinetic (PK) variability of IFX is needed. As soon as the optimal therapeutic drug ranges are known, PK model-based simulation can be used to individualize drug dosing recommendations. In this study, a population PK model for IFX is described for patients with JIA.

METHODS

Data including IFX trough concentrations and anti-IFX antibodies of 27 pediatric patients with JIA on IFX maintenance treatment were retrieved from electronic charts. Three population PK models from the literature were validated for the authors' data set using the nonlinear mixed-effects modeling program NONMEM. A novel population PK model was developed based on the study data.

RESULTS

A total of 65 blood samples obtained after a median of 32 days after the last IFX infusion (interquartile range 28-42) were analyzed. The 3 published models underpredicted the observed trough concentrations. A newly developed one-compartment model best described the data corresponding to IFX serum concentration over time in patients with JIA.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows a novel PK model for IFX in patients with JIA. The data show that different PK models are needed for different age categories (children or adults) and different diseases.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is an umbrella term for arthritis of unknown origin, lasting for >6 weeks with onset before 16 years of age. JIA is the most common chronic inflammatory rheumatic condition of childhood. According to the International League Against Rheumatism (ILAR) classification, seven mutually exclusive categories of JIA exist based on disease manifestations during the first 6 months of disease. Although the ILAR classification has been useful to foster research, it has been criticized mainly as it does not distinguish those forms of chronic arthritis observed in adults and in children from those that may be unique to childhood. Hence, efforts to provide a new evidence-based classification are ongoing. Similar to arthritis observed in adults, pathogenesis involves autoimmune and autoinflammatory mechanisms. The field has witnessed a remarkable improvement in therapeutic possibilities of JIA owing to the availability of new potent drugs and the possibility to perform controlled trials with support from legislative interventions and large networks availability. The goal of drug therapy in JIA is to rapidly reduce disease activity to inactive disease or clinical remission, minimize drug side effects and achieve a quality of life comparable to that of healthy peers. As JIA can influence all aspects of a child's and their family's life, researchers increasingly recognize improvement of health-related quality of life as a key treatment goal.

Therapeutic drug monitoring of anti-TNF drugs: an overview of applicability in daily clinical practice in the era of treatment with biologics in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)

BACKGROUND

Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) drugs have improved the prognosis for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) significantly. However, evidence for individual treatment decisions based on serum anti-TNF drug levels and the presence of anti-drug antibodies (ADAbs) in children is scarce. We aimed to assess if anti-TNF drug levels and/or ADAbs influenced physician's treatment decisions in children with JIA.

METHODS

Patients' records in our center were retrospectively screened for measurements of anti-TNF drug levels and ADAbs in children with JIA using etanercept, adalimumab or infliximab. Clinical characteristics and disease activity were retrieved from patient charts.

RESULTS

We analyzed 142 measurements of anti-TNF drug levels in 65 children with JIA. Of these, ninety-seven (68.3%) were trough concentrations. N = 14/97 (14.4%) of these showed trough concentrations within the therapeutic drug range known for adults with RA and IBD. ADAbs against adalimumab were detected in seven patients and against infliximab in one patient. Seven (87,5%) of these ADAb-positive patients had non-detectable drug levels. A flowchart was made on decisions including rational dose escalation, stopping treatment in the presence of ADAbs and undetectable drug levels, showing that 45% of measurements influenced treatment decisions, which concerned 65% of patients (n = 42/65).

CONCLUSIONS

In the majority of patients, measurement of anti-TNF drug levels led to changes in treatment. A wide variation of anti-TNF drug levels was found possibly due to differences in drug clearance in different age groups. There is need for determination of therapeutic drug ranges and pharmacokinetic curves for anti-TNF and other biologics in children with JIA.

Clinical Team Perspectives on the Psychosocial Aspects of Transition to Adult Care for Patients With Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

The transition from pediatric to adult care for youth with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a vulnerable period. Adverse outcomes during this transition include gaps in care, unscheduled health care utilization, loss of insurance, and high disease activity. The objective of this study was to examine the clinical care teams' perspective on the psychosocial factors associated with transition outcomes, which are poorly understood in this population.

METHODS

We conducted in-depth interviews with clinical care team members who interact with childhood-onset SLE patients during transfer from pediatric to adult rheumatology. A semistructured interview guide was used to prompt participants' perspectives about the psychosocial factors associated with the transition process for patients with childhood-onset SLE. Audio recordings were transcribed and analyzed using the constant comparative method. We stopped conducting interviews once thematic saturation was achieved.

RESULTS

Thirteen in-depth interviews were conducted. Participants included pediatric rheumatologists (n = 4), adult rheumatologists from both academic and private practice settings (n = 4), nurses (n = 2), a nurse practitioner, a social worker, and a psychologist. We identified several themes deemed by clinical care teams as important during the transition, including the impact of the family, patient resilience and coping mechanisms, the role of mental health and emotional support, and the need for education, peer support, and social connectedness.

CONCLUSION

We identified several psychosocial themes that clinical team members believe impact the transition of patients with childhood-onset SLE into adult care. The role of parental modeling, youth resilience, mental health and emotional care, improved childhood-onset SLE education, and structured peer support and social connectedness are highlighted, which may be amenable to interventions.

Review about the impact of growing up with a chronic disease showed delays achieving psychosocial milestones

AIM

This review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the psychosocial developmental trajectory of various diseases during childhood and adolescence.

METHODS

Studies of Dutch young adults aged 18-35 years, who had grown up with a chronic disease, were included if the Course of Life Questionnaire had been used to assess psychosocial developmental milestones in three domains: social, autonomy and psychosexual. Differences between the disease groups and the general population were presented as Cohen's d and odds ratios.

RESULTS

We included 17 studies comprising 1899 young adults, who had grown up with 18 different paediatric diseases. Psychosocial development was delayed in all three questionnaire domains. Remarkable findings with regard to specific milestones were as follows: less participation in sports clubs in the social domain, less likely to have had paid jobs in the autonomy domain and later sexual intimacy in the psychosexual domain. End-stage renal disease, galactosaemia (males), childhood cancer and orthotopic liver transplants were the most affected disease groups.

CONCLUSION

Children and adolescents with chronic diseases risked delays in psychosocial development. This should be addressed by healthcare providers, along with the physical aspects of diseases, and they should focus on the optimal psychosocial development of the patient.

Entering the labor market: increased employment rates of young adults with chronic physical conditions after a vocational rehabilitation program

PURPOSE

Employment of young adults with chronic physical conditions entering the labor market after finishing post-secondary education remains behind compared to typically developing peers. The aim of this study is to evaluate changes in their paid employment levels after following a vocational rehabilitation intervention ('At Work').

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Participants aged between 16 and 27 years (n = 90) were recruited via rehabilitation physicians and a jobcoach agency and participated in a vocational rehabilitation program. Cochran's Q and McNemar tests served to test the development of intervention participants' paid employment over time. Chi-square tests were used to compare intervention participants' paid employment level with national reference data selected on age and having a self-reported chronic physical condition.

RESULTS

Paid employment level of the intervention cohort significantly increased from 10.0% at baseline to 42.4% at 2-years follow-up (p < 0.001). At 2-years follow-up, their employment rates approached the employment rates of national reference data (42.4% versus 52.9%, p = 0.17).

CONCLUSION

Starting from a disadvantaged position, the paid employment rate of the intervention cohort substantially increased over time, approaching the employment rate of reference data. 'At Work' seems to be appropriate for supporting this specific group who face obstacles to enter the labor market, to find competitive employment.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION'At Work' is a vocational rehabilitation intervention for young adults with chronic physical conditions who experience problems with finding and maintaining competitive employment after finishing post-secondary education.The 'At Work' intervention entails a combination of group sessions and individual coaching sessions based on the supported employment methodology.Paid employment rates of the intervention cohort substantially increased on the short- and long term, and approached employment rates of reference data of persons with chronic physical conditions.The 'At Work' intervention seems appropriate to support young adults with chronic physical conditions who experience barriers for work participation, to enter the labor market and find competitive and sustainable employment.

Re-conceptualizing functional status through experiences of young adults with inflammatory arthritis

The objective of this study is to assess the impact of inflammatory arthritis on young adults' activity participation using quantitative and qualitative methods to advance the field's conceptualization of functional status. Young adults diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis completed (1) the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index to determine functional status and (2) the day reconstruction method to explore experiential dimensions of function, including functional performance, functional satisfaction, and severity of arthritis symptoms during activities on the previous day. Bivariate analyses were conducted to examine relationships between functional status, experiential variables, and demographic variables. Open-ended questions were provided for participants to report ways that arthritis affected their participation that were not otherwise reflected within survey questions; responses were numerically coded using summative content analysis. Among 37 participants (24.8 ± 3.3 years old), 70% reported moderate-to-severe disability. On average, participants experienced pain, stiffness, or fatigue for more than 50% of their waking hours. Functional status significantly correlated with functional performance (r = - 0.39, p = 0.02) and satisfaction (r = - 0.39, p = 0.02), yet did not correlate with stiffness or fatigue severity or duration of symptoms throughout the day. Participants described strategies that improved their ability to participate in certain activities but reduced their overall quality of activity engagement and caused emotional distress. Young adults with arthritis may experience more significant functional limitations than previously reported. Traditional measures of functional assessment may not capture experiential components of activity that affect participation, such as severity of stiffness or fatigue or the duration of symptoms throughout the day.

Psychosocial developmental trajectory of a cohort of young adults born very preterm and/or with a very low birth weight in the Netherlands

Background

The achievement of age-specific developmental milestones in youth is of great importance to the adjustment in adult life. Young adults who were born preterm, might go through a different developmental trajectory and transition into adulthood than their peers. This study aimed to compare the psychosocial developmental trajectory of young adults who were born preterm with peers from the general population. Young adults from the POPS (Project On Preterm and Small for gestational age infants) cohort study, born in 1983 in the Netherlands, completed online the Course of Life Questionnaire (CoLQ - achievement of psychosocial developmental milestones) at 28 years of age. Analysis of variance by group, age and gender was performed to test differences on the CoLQ scale scores between the POPS-group and 211 peers (25–30 years) from the general population (Ref-group). Differences on item level, representing the achievement of individual milestones, were analyzed with logistic regression analyses by group, age and gender.

Results

The POPS-group (n = 300, 32,3% biased response) scored significantly lower than the Ref-group on the scales Psychosexual Development (effect size − 0.26, p < 0.01), Antisocial Behavior (ES − 0.44, p < 0.001) and Substance Use & Gambling (ES − 0.35, p < .001). A further exploration on item-level revealed, among others, that the POPS-group had their first boyfriend/girlfriend at later age, were more often single, misbehaved less at school and smoked, drank and gambled less than the Ref-group. On the scales Autonomy Development and Social Development no differences were found between the POPS-group and the Ref-group.

Conclusions

A relatively less vulnerable respondent group of young adults born preterm showed some psychosocial developmental trajectory delays and might benefit from support at teenage age. Because of the non-response bias, we hypothesize that the total group of young adults born preterm will show more severe psychosocial developmental problems.

Health-related quality of life in patients with pediatric onset of end-stage renal disease: state of the art and recommendations for clinical practice

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is increasingly recognized as a key outcome in both clinical and research settings in the pediatric population with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This review aims to: (1) summarize the current knowledge on HRQoL and socioprofessional outcomes and (2) provide strategies for incorporation of HRQoL assessment into clinical practice. Studies report that pediatric patients with ESRD have significantly lower HRQoL scores compared with children with other chronic diseases. Patients treated by dialysis are at particularly high risk for impaired HRQoL. Furthermore, patients more often have impaired neurocognitive functioning and lower academic achievement. Important determinants of impaired HRQoL include medical factors (i.e., receiving dialysis, disabling comorbidities, cosmetic side effects, stunted growth), sociodemographic factors (i.e., female gender, non-Western background) and psychosocial factors (i.e., noneffective coping strategies). Contrary to the situation in childhood, adult survivors of pediatric ESRD report a normal mental HRQoL. Despite this subjective feeling of well-being, these patients have on average experienced significantly more difficulties in completing their education, developing intimate relationships, and securing employment. Several medical and psychosocial strategies may potentially improve HRQoL in children with ESRD. Regular assessment of HRQoL and neurocognitive functioning in order to identify areas in which therapies and interventions may be required should be part of standard clinical care.

Health related quality of life in Dutch young adults: psychometric properties of the PedsQL generic core scales young adult version

Background

The purpose of this study is to provide Dutch norm data and to assess internal consistency and construct validity for the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Young Adult Generic Core Scales (PedsQL_YA) in Dutch young adults aged 18–30 years.

Methods

A sample of 649 young adults from the general Dutch population aged 18–30 years, stratified by age, sex, marital status and education, completed a socio-demographic questionnaire and the Dutch version of the PedsQL_YA online. Internal consistency of the PedsQL_YA scales was determined with Cronbach’s alphas. Norm scores were obtained by calculating the mean PedsQL scale scores by gender, age and health status. Differences in scale scores were analyzed for gender, age and health status (construct validity) using two-sample t-tests and effect sizes were calculated. Construct validity was determined by testing differences in PedsQL scores between healthy young adults and young adults with chronic health conditions.

Results

All scales of the PedsQL_YA showed satisfactory to excellent internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alphas between .77 and .94. Men reported higher scores (indicating better HRQOL) than women on all scales (p < .01), except for school/work functioning. No age differences were found. Young adults with chronic health conditions scored lower on all scales (p < .001) than healthy young adults, indicating good construct validity. Effect sizes varied from medium to large.

Conclusions

The Dutch version of the PedsQL_YA has adequate psychometric properties. With the availability of reliable norm data, the PedsQL_YA can be used as a tool in the evaluation of health related quality of life in healthy young adults and those with a chronic health condition.

'Skills for growing up': supporting autonomy in young people with kidney disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) may interfere with children's developmental task of acquiring autonomy and participation. The Skills for Growing Up tool encourages normal development towards independence and autonomy during paediatric rehabilitation. This study aimed to adapt this self-management tool for use in paediatric nephrology, and to test whether its use is feasible in daily practice.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

A Delphi study was conducted among patients, their parents, professionals and experts to adjust the tool for use in nephrology. Feasibility was studied through individual and group interviews with professionals in all Dutch paediatric nephrology centres.

RESULTS

Agreement was reached on the areas of social participation and medical management of ESKD. Compared with the original, the new instrument holds considerable more attention for autonomy in the renal healthcare area; for example, dealing with medication and transplantation. Professionals used and appreciated the tool, but the paper form was seen to limit feasibility.

CONCLUSIONS

Making the tool available online is important. The challenge for professionals is to move beyond the focus on medical management and to consider developmental tasks when coaching their patients into adulthood.

APPLICATION TO PRACTICE

The Skills for Growing Up-Nephrology (SGU-N) tool is a promising instrument for use by professionals in paediatric nephrology. Its use can help young people achieving autonomy and may contribute to their successful transition to adulthood and adult care.

Children of non-Western origin with end-stage renal disease in the Netherlands, Belgium and a part of Germany have impaired health-related quality of life compared with Western children

BACKGROUND

Many children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) living in Western Europe are of non-Western European origin. They have unfavourable somatic outcomes compared with ESRD children of Western origin. In this study, we compared the Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of both groups.

METHODS

All children (5-18 years) with ESRD included in the RICH-Q project (Renal Insufficiency therapy in Children-Quality assessment and improvement) or their parents were asked to complete the generic version of the Paediatric Quality-of-Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL). RICH-Q comprises the Netherlands, Belgium and a part of Germany. Children were considered to be of non-Western origin if they or at least one parent was born outside Western-European countries. Impaired HRQoL for children with ESRD of Western or non-Western origin was defined as a PedsQL score less than fifth percentile for healthy Dutch children of Western or non-Western origin, respectively.

RESULTS

Of the 259 eligible children, 230 agreed to participate. One hundred and seventy-four children responded (response rate 67%) and 55 (32%) were of non-Western origin. Overall, 31 (56%) of the ESRD children of non-Western origin, and 58 (49%) of Western origin had an impaired total HRQoL score. Total HRQoL scores of children with ESRD of Western origin and non-Western origin were comparable, but scores on emotional functioning and school functioning were lower in non-Western origin (P=0.004 and 0.01, respectively). The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for ESRD children of non-Western origin to have impaired emotional functioning and school functioning, compared with Western origin, were 3.3(1.5-7.1) and 2.2(1.1-4.2), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Children with ESRD of non-Western origin in three Western countries were found to be at risk for impaired HRQoL on emotional and school functioning. These children warrant special attention.