Autoimmune diseases in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Body mass index is associated with health-related quality of life and disease characteristics in young adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

BACKGROUND

There is a growing interest concerning the relationship between obesity and several medical conditions and inflammation. Nevertheless, there is a lack of studies regarding body mass index (BMI) among patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Our aim was to investigate the impact of BMI on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measured with a 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), disease activity, and disability in young adults with JIA.

METHODS

This study is a part of the population-based Nordic JIA cohort study. All newly diagnosed patients with JIA were recruited consecutively between 1997-2000 in specific regions in the Nordic countries. Patients in this sub-study were enrolled from 434 patients who attended their 18-year follow-up visit. Patients were classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO) into four groups based on their BMI. HRQoL, disease characteristics, disability, fatigue, sleep quality, physical activity, pain, comorbidities, and social status were assessed.

RESULTS

Three hundred fifty-five patients from the original study cohort were enrolled in this study and 72% of them were female. Mean age was 23.9 (± SD 4.4) years. A significant relationship was found between the JIA categories and BMI groups (p = 0.014). A significant relationship was also found between BMI and disease activity scores (DAS28) (p = 0.028), disability (p < 0.001), pain (p = 0.013), fatigue (p = 0.035), and sleep quality (p = 0.044). Moreover, a significant relationship between BMI and HRQoL regarding bodily pain (p = 0.010) and general health (p = 0.048) was revealed when adjusted for sex, age, and JIA subtype.

CONCLUSION

We discovered that BMI was significantly related to HRQoL, disease activity, and disability. BMI deserves more attention considering the treatment options and outcome of JIA in young adults.

Prevalence of tissue transglutaminase antibodies and IgA deficiency are not increased in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of Celiac Disease (CD) in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) has been reported to be 0.1-7% in various small studies. As a result of the limited number of research and their inconclusive results there are no clear recommendations for routine CD screening in asymptomatic patients with JIA. Our aim is to estimate the prevalence of IgA deficiency and tissue transglutaminase (tTG) IgA in a cohort of JIA followed in two large academic medical centers.

METHODS

Serum was collected and stored from all subjects and analyzed in a reference laboratory for total IgA (Quantitative Nephelometry) and tTG IgA antibody levels (Semi-Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay). Fisher's exact tests were performed for statistical significance. Risk estimates (odds ratios) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

RESULTS

808 JIA cases and 140 controls were analyzed. Majority were non-Hispanic whites (72% vs. 68% p = 0.309). A total of 1.2% of cases were IgA deficient compared to none of the controls (p = 0.373). After excluding IgA deficient subjects, 2% of cases had tTG IgA ≥ 4u/mL compared to 3.6% of controls (p = 0.216) (OR = 0.5; 95% C.I = 0.1-1.4); and 0.8% of cases had tTG IgA > 10u/mL compared to 1.4% of controls (p = 0.627) (OR = 0.5; 95%C.I = 0.1-2.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Using the largest JIA cohort to date to investigate prevalence of celiac antibodies, the prevalence of positive tTG IgA was 0.8% and of IgA deficiency was 1.2%. The results did not demonstrate a higher prevalence of abnormal tTG IgA in JIA. The study did not support the routine screening of asymptomatic JIA patients for CD.

Risk of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis in Patients With Celiac Disease: A Population-Based Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Celiac disease (CD) is associated with many immune-mediated conditions, but a definitive epidemiological association between CD and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has not been established. We quantified the risk of JIA and RA among patients with CD using a population-based cohort.

METHODS

We identified patients diagnosed with biopsy-proven CD between 2004 and 2017 using data from a national histopathology cohort in Sweden. Each patient was matched by age, sex, calendar year, and geographic region to reference individuals in the general population. We calculated the incidence and estimated the relative risk, through Cox proportional hazards models, of JIA in individuals with CD aged <18 and of RA in individuals with CD aged ≥18.

RESULTS

We identified 24,014 individuals with CD who were matched to 117,397 reference individuals from the general population. Among individuals aged <18, the incidence rate of JIA was 5.9 per 10,000 person-years in patients with CD and 2.2 per 10,000 person-years in the general population (n events = 40 and 73, respectively; hazard ratio [HR] 2.68, 95% confidence interval 1.82-3.95) over a follow-up of 7.0 years. Among individuals aged ≥ 18, the incidence of RA was 8.4 per 10,000 person-years in CD and 5.1 per 10,000 person-years in matched comparators (n events = 110 and 322, respectively; HR 1.70, 95% confidence interval 1.36-2.12) over a follow-up of 8.8 years.

DISCUSSION

Among children with CD, JIA develops nearly 3 times as often as it does in the general population, and among adults with CD, RA occurs nearly 2 times as often. Clinicians caring for patients with CD with joint symptoms should have a low threshold to evaluate for JIA or RA.

Incidence, prevalence, and comorbidities of juvenile idiopathic arthritis in Germany: a retrospective observational cohort health claims database study

BACKGROUND

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) describes heterogenous categories of chronic inflammatory rheumatic conditions of unknown origin in children and adolescents. Epidemiological data in the literature vary, depending on geographic location, ethnicity and the case definition used. We evaluated epidemiology, especially that of the categories defined by the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR).

METHODS

Using data from two different longitudinal health claims databases (WIG2 and InGef) from January 1^st, 2013 to December 31^st, 2019, we looked at patients aged 2 to 15 years old with at least one main inpatient or two secondary inpatient/verified outpatient ICD-10 diagnoses in at least two different quarters within one calendar year. We calculated prevalence and incidence (per 100,000 patients) and extrapolated data to the entire German population, looking at differences in gender and age groups. Additionally, we collected data on "other" not necessary comorbidities in our JIA patient population.

RESULTS

Of the 3-4 million patients in the databases (respectively) in 2018, we found a total of 546 (WIG2) and 849 (InGef) patients that met our JIA case definition, with an incidence of 34 (29-41) and 60 (53-67) and prevalence of 133 (122-145) and 168 (157-179). Both incidence and prevalence throughout the age range were mostly higher in females than males, however the difference between females and males increased with increasing age. Of the ILAR categories, oligoarthritis was the most prevalent (70 and 91 per 100,000), with about half of our JIA patients in this category, followed by undifferentiated arthritis (49 and 56 cases per 100,000) and rheumatoid factor negative (RF-) (31 and 39 per 100,000). Incidence in 2018 was the highest in these three categories. Atopic dermatitis, vasomotor and allergic rhinitis, and uveitis were the pre-defined comorbidities seen most often in both databases.

CONCLUSION

This study provides current incidence and prevalence JIA data in Germany, contributing to knowledge on burden of disease and tools for healthcare planning.

In a large Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) cohort, concomitant celiac disease is associated with family history of autoimmunity and a more severe JIA course: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

A higher prevalence of celiac disease (CD) has been reported in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) compared to the general population. Factors related to the increased risk of co-occurrence and associated disease course have not been fully elucidated. Aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of CD in a large Southern Italian cohort of children with JIA, describe their clinical features and disease course and investigate risk factors associated with their co-occurrence.

FINDINGS

Demographic, clinical and laboratory data of all patients with JIA admitted to our Pediatric Rheumatology Unit from January 2001 to June 2019, who underwent CD screening, were retrospectively extracted from clinical charts and analyzed. Eight of 329 JIA patients were diagnosed with CD, resulting in a prevalence higher than the general Italian population (2.4% vs 0.93%, p < 0.05). Familiarity for autoimmunity was reported by 87.5% patients with JIA and CD compared to 45.8% of those without CD (p < 0.05). 87.5% patients with JIA and CD required both a conventional Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug (DMARD) and a biological DMARD over time compared to 36.4% of those without CD (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

A higher CD prevalence was found in a large JIA cohort, supporting the need for CD screening in all JIA children, especially those with a family history of autoimmunity, found to be associated with the co-occurrence of the two diseases. This is clinically relevant since patients with CD and JIA more often required a step-up therapy, suggesting a more severe JIA clinical course.

IgA deficiency and autoimmune comorbidities in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

OBJECTIVES

(1) To describe the prevalence of IgA deficiency (IgAD), uveitis, coeliac disease (CD) and thyroid disorders in a multicentric cohort of patients diagnosed with JIA and, (2) to evaluate whether patients with JIA and IgAD present other autoimmune diseases more frequently than patients with normal serum levels of IgA.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of a cohort of patients diagnosed with JIA followed at the paediatric rheumatology units of two hospitals in Madrid, Spain.

RESULTS

A total of 193 patients were included. Of them, 123 were females (64%). Median age at disease onset was 5.6 years (IQR 2.5-9.7) and the median time of follow-up was 5.1 years (IQR 2.2-8.1). The three most common ILAR categories were oligoarticular (53%), polyarticular RF negative (20%) and enthesitis related arthritis (10%). Serum IgA levels were available in 172/193 (89%); 25/172 (15%) had selective (<7mg/dl, n=8) or partial (7-69mg/dl, n=17) IgAD. All the patients had periodic eye exams. Eighteen children (9%) had anterior uveitis, 15/18 chronic and 3/18 acute. Serum anti transglutaminase IgA, or IgG in IgAD were obtained in 135/193 (70%). Four children (3%) were diagnosed with CD either by intestinal biopsy (n=3) or by the combination of characteristic clinical, serological and genetic features (n=1); two of them had IgAD (p=0.12; OR=6.4; 95% CI 0.9-47.6). Only 1/153 (0.7%) patient had hyperthyrotropinemia with positive anti-thyroid antibodies and required replacement therapy.

CONCLUSION

Patients with JIA frequently present autoimmune comorbidities. IgAD does not seem to increase their prevalence, with the possible exception of CD.

Serological screening for coeliac disease in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is characterized by autoimmune aetiology. A gene locus 4q27 related to rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and coeliac disease is associated with susceptibility to JIA. There are reports indicating several patients with JIA had been diagnosed with CD. We aimed to assess the frequency of coeliac disease (CD) in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This prospective study was carried out from October 2015 to August 2016 and included 96 patients with JIA. All patients were evaluated in terms of clinical and laboratory findings of CD. Levels of total IgA and tissue transglutaminase antibody (tTG) IgA were measured in all patients. Those with increased level of tTG IgA were further tested for anti-endomysium IgA antibodies (EMA). Gastroduodenoscopy were planned for a definite diagnosis of CD in patients with positive EMA.

RESULTS

Of the 96 patients in our study, 34 (35.4%) had oligoarticular form of JIA, 29 (30.2%) had polyarticular form, 12 (12.5%) had ERA form, 11 (11.5%) had systemic form, and 10 (10.4%) had psoriatic form. Sixteen of our patients (16.6%) were not using any drugs during the study. Neither EMA IgA antibodies were analysed nor gastro-duodenoscopy was performed because no patients were positive for tTG IgA. There was no difference in terms of tTG levels between the patients using NSAIDs or other drugs.

CONCLUSION

We did not find CD in children with JIA. Long term studies with more JIA patients are needed to provide more precise interpretation.

Evaluation of screening for coeliac disease in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

AIM

To study the prevalence of coeliac disease (CD) in children with Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), by screening a population-based cohort of children with JIA using autoantibodies against tissue transglutaminase (anti-TG2).

METHODS

All children diagnosed with JIA in three Swedish counties, with disease onset between 2007 and 2014, were included prospectively. Serum levels of IgA anti-TG2 antibodies, IgG anti-TG2 antibodies, and total IgA were analysed. Children with positive levels of IgA anti-TG2 antibodies and children with IgA deficiency in combination with positive levels of IgG anti-TG2 antibodies were referred to the paediatric gastroenterology unit for gastroscopy and small intestine biopsy.

RESULTS

A total of 216 children were included, and analysis of IgA and IgG anti-TG2 antibodies was performed in 213 children. Three children were diagnosed with CD prior to the diagnosis of JIA, and three additional children were found through screening, resulting in a CD point prevalence of 2.8% (95% CI 0.6-5.0%).

CONCLUSION

We found a point prevalence of CD close to previous described prevalence in the general population of Swedish children. Therefore, general screening for CD in children with JIA is not supported by our data. However, this study shows that asymptomatic CD in children with JIA may be found by screening.

Celiac Disease-Musculoskeletal Manifestations and Mechanisms in Children to Adults

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We aim to review the current literature on the association of musculoskeletal disorders and celiac disease that is a common disorder, affecting about 1% of the population. Extra-intestinal symptoms and presentations predominate.

RECENT FINDINGS

While the literature supports an association with reduced bone mineral density and increased fracture risk and celiac disease, there is little evidence supporting associations with other rheumatological conditions. Patients frequently report musculoskeletal symptoms; however, studies of specific disease entities suffer from a lack of standardization of testing for celiac disease and a lack of control groups. Well-controlled, preferably population-based studies are required to further explore a relationship between celiac disease and musculoskeletal disorders.

Comorbidity of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and to characterize patients having both.

STUDY DESIGN

Diabetes comorbidity was recorded in the National Pediatric Rheumatologic Database since 2012. Data from the North Rhine-Westphalian diabetes registry served as the reference population for the prevalence of diabetes in the general population. The National Pediatric Rheumatologic Database data were indirectly standardized for age and sex for comparison with the general population. The diabetes prevalence ratio was calculated using the Poisson regression model.

RESULTS

The analysis included 12 269 patients with JIA. A total of 58 patients had comorbid T1D, and the diabetes prevalence was 0.5%. The mean age was 11.6 years at the time of documentation, and the mean disease duration was 4.2 years. Compared with the general population, the prevalence of diabetes in patients with JIA was significantly increased (prevalence ratio 1.76 [95% CI 1.34; 2.28], P < .001). The onset of diabetes in patients with JIA was earlier than that reported in the reference data. Sixty-three percent of patients developed T1D before JIA. On average, diabetes onset was 56 months before the onset of JIA. Patients who first developed JIA developed T1D on average 40 months later. The majority of patients had not received disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs before diabetes onset.

CONCLUSIONS

T1D occurs more frequently in patients with JIA than in the general population. The likelihood of T1D occurrence appears to be slightly higher before JIA manifestation and without disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy after JIA onset.

HLA genotyping as first-line screening tool for coeliac disease in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

OBJECTIVES

Coeliac disease (CD) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) often coexist. This association warrants assessment for CD in patients with JIA. We evaluated the clinical relevance and cost-effectiveness of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genotyping in first-line screening for development of CD in children with JIA.

PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS

95 patients with JIA were screened for CD using CD-specific antibodies. In case of positivity, a small intestinal biopsy was performed to confirm diagnosis. In addition, HLA genotyping was performed. 110 age-matched and sex-matched Caucasian children from the same geographical area served as controls.

RESULTS

CD was diagnosed in 4 of 95 patients with JIA (4.2%), a rate significantly higher compared with controls (p<0.02) and 14 times higher than in the general population. Twenty-six patients (27.4%) had one of the variants of the risk genotypes. All four patients diagnosed with CD had a HLA-DQ2.5 genotype: one was homozygote, the remainder heterozygote. Twenty-two patients are, judging by their HLA genotypes, at risk of developing CD and require repeated serological screening. None of the 69 patients without HLA-DQ2/DQ8 genotypes had CD-specific antibodies. Screening with HLA genotyping becomes cheaper than screening without after the second determination.

CONCLUSIONS

In our cohort of patients with JIA, lack of HLA-DQ2/DQ8 genotypes identified a majority not at risk of CD in whom repeated serological testing is unnecessary. Genotyping is nowadays the most efficient and cost-effective way to screen for CD risk in JIA.

Refractory rheumatoid factor positive polyarthritis in a female adolescent already suffering from type 1 diabetes mellitus and Hashimoto's thyroiditis successfully treated with etanercept

Type 1 diabetes mellitus may be associated with many autoimmune diseases with the common autoimmune pathogenesis. We describe the case of a girl suffering from Type 1 diabetes mellitus and autoimmune Hashimoto's thyroiditis since the childhood and, due to the onset of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis during adolescence, for three years practiced therapy with an anti-TNF drug, etanercept . Currently her inflammatory markers are normal, arthritis is inactive and diabetes is well controlled. During the treatment with anti-TNF drug we observed a significative reduction of insulin dose, probably due to an increased tissue sensitivity secondary to the suppression of the activity of TNF-alpha. Several clinical trials that have evaluated the effect of immunomodulatory agents in diabetic patients, especially in those with recent onset of disease, were already performed but further studies of longer duration on a larger population are needed to assess the role of biologic drugs and immunotherapy in this group of patients.

Simultaneous Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 — A Finnish Nationwide Study

Objective.

To describe the occurrence and main clinical and laboratory findings of patients having both juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM-1) in a period of 30 years.

Methods.

Eighty-two patients having simultaneous JIA and DM-1 were identified in the reimbursement registers of the Finnish National Institute of Insurance during the period 1976–2005. Data on their clinical histories were collected from patient files.

Results.

Occurrence of simultaneous JIA and DM-1 increased 4.5-fold between the first (1976-85) and the last (1996–2005) decade. Prevalence of uveitis was 7%, of rheumatoid factor seropositivity 15%; 22% of patients had a third autoimmune disease [autoimmune disease (AID)], and 16% had serious psychiatric problems.

Conclusion.

The occurrence of patients with the 2 diseases, JIA and DM-1, increased over 3 decades. The prevalence of uveitis was low, the number of seropositive patients was high, and further cases of AID were frequent. Patients had multiple additional problems necessitating multiprofessional care.