Tuncay Aydın

Objective: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic childhood arthritis, with distinct categories based on pathophysiology and clinical manifestations. The age of onset varies by category but is reported to be approximately six years. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical, laboratory and outcome characteristics of patients with infantile-onset JIA. Methods: This multicentre retrospective study included patients with JIA whose symptoms were onset before the age of two. Results: This study included 199 patients with a median age at symptom onset of 17 months and a median age at diagnosis of 20 months. The most common JIA categories were persistent oligoarticular (59.8%), systemic (13.6%) and rheumatoid factor (RF)-negative polyarticular (11.6%). Patients with symptom onset ≤12 months had a significantly higher prevalence of RF-negative polyarticular and systemic JIA, whereas those with onset >12 months had a higher prevalence of persistent oligoarticular JIA. Antinuclear antibody positivity was significantly higher in patients with disease onset >12 months, whereas uveitis development was more common in those with onset ≤12 months. The wrist, hand proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and foot PIP joints were significantly more frequently affected in patients with early-onset disease. At the last visit, 59.8% of the patients were in remission with medication and 18.1% were in remission without medication. Conclusion: This study suggests that patients with infantile-onset JIA exhibit distinct characteristics regarding JIA category, joint involvement and uveitis development, highlighting the need for further research and potential reconsideration of current age thresholds in the JIA classification.

Objective: This nationwide, multicenter study was conducted to assess the demographic and clinical features, treatment regimens, and prognosis of primary Sjögren disease (SjD) in childhood. Methods: This retrospective study included a total of 81 patients < 18 years of age from 21 pediatric rheumatology centers. Among these, 51 patients fulfilled the diagnosis of childhood SjD according to the 2016 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) classification criteria. The remaining 30 patients—who did not fully meet these criteria but exhibited clinical and laboratory findings suggestive of SjD—were categorized as at risk for childhood SjD to highlight diagnostic challenges and the spectrum of early presentations, based on comprehensive clinical evaluation by experienced pediatric rheumatologists. Results: The cohort consisted of 81 patients (85.2% female, 14.8% male) with a median age at symptom onset of 11.4 years and a median follow-up of 24 months. Common clinical manifestations included dry mouth, dry eyes, arthralgia, fatigue, and parotitis. Fifty-one of the 81 patients met the 2016 ACR/EULAR classification criteria, whereas the remaining 30 were classified as an at-risk group. The most common clinical findings in the at-risk group were xerostomia (90%), arthralgia (56.7%), fatigue (50%), and dry eyes (43.3%). Dry mouth and peripheral nervous system involvements were found to be higher in patients categorized as at risk ( P = 0.03 and P = 0.02, respectively). Conclusion: The current classification criteria for childhood SjD appear to be inadequate, highlighting the need for pediatric-specific criteria that more accurately reflect the distinct clinical patterns observed in children.

Nailfold Capillaroscopy: A Non-invasive Tool for Early Detection of Microvascular Alterations in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus - Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology

Background. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder of connective tissues caused by an abnormality in the synthesis or processing of type I collagen. The combination of OI and inflammatory arthritis is rare. Our literature review identified 5 cases of OI-related inflammatory arthritis, but only 2 of these cases have been reported in children. Case Report. We present 3 cases diagnosed with OI and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Two were diagnosed with enthesitis-associated arthritis, and one was diagnosed with oligoarticular JIA with laboratory findings and a magnetic resonance imaging examination. Only one of the patients had a previously diagnosed OI. For the others, whole gene sequence analysis was performed, and a mutation in the collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1) gene was detected. Identifying and treating inflammatory arthritis in our patients with OI improved their joint pain. Conclusion. Musculoskeletal pain is a common issue in individuals with OI and JIA. Considering children with OI may also develop arthritis, early diagnosis, and accurate treatment may be crucial. Recognizing the rare association between JIA and OI is important, as investigating this relationship could help alleviate the disease burden. Thorough evaluation and prompt diagnosis of JIA in patients with OI can significantly reduce the impact of the disease.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination rates and factors affecting vaccination in children with rheumatic diseases. Patients and methods: This multicenter cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted between July 2022 and September 2022. Four hundred seventy-four patients (256 females, 218 males; median age: 15 years; interquartile range, 13 to 16 years) were included in the patient group, and 211 healthy children (124 females, 87 males; median age: 15 years; interquartile range, 13 to 16 years) were included in the control group. A questionnaire was administered to the parents face-to-face during routine outpatient visits. Results: Of the patients, 220 were followed up with the diagnosis of autoinflammatory disease, 174 with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, 48 with connective tissue disease, 23 with vasculitis, eight with uveitis, and one with sarcoidosis. In the study group, 256 (54%) patients and 115 (54.5%) healthy children received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Parents' concern regarding potential side effects of the vaccine was the most common reason for COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in both groups. The median patient age, follow-up period, colchicine treatment rates, childhood vaccination and influenza vaccination rates, median parental age, parental vaccination rate, and parental education level were higher in vaccinated patients (p

Objectives: The study aimed to determine the factors that increase the risk of disease flare in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis who stopped methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy following inactive disease (ID). Patients and methods: In the retrospective study, files of all juvenile idiopathic arthritis cases between April 1992 and June 2022 were examined. Patients who stopped MTX monotherapy following ID were evaluated. Patients with disease flare and persistent ID were compared. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis subgroup, age of symptom onset, autoantibodies, acute phase reactants, MTX method of use, and withdrawal strategy were recorded. Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients were excluded from the study due to different clinical symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment methods. Results: Files of 1,036 patients were evaluated, and 107 patients (88 females, 19 males; mean age: 5.9±4.2 years; range, 0.8-16.5 years) were included in the study. The median age at symptom onset was 4.8 (interquartile range [IQR]: 2-7.6) years. In terms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis subgroups, 52 (48.6%) had oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, 43 (40.2%) had polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and 12 (11.2%) had juvenile psoriatic arthritis. The patients reached ID in nine (IQR: 4.8-17.7) months after starting MTX, and MTX treatment was discontinued after one (IQR: 0.7-1.3) year following ID. The disease flare developed in 59 (55%) of the cases. The ID continued in 48 (45%) patients. In multivariate analysis, the risk of flare was associated with younger symptom onset (odds ratio [OR]=2.2, p=0.006), antinuclear antibody positivity (OR=1.6, p=0.03), higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (OR=1.01, p=0.04), and C-reactive protein (OR=1, p=0.02) at the MTX onset. No difference was observed between the two groups regarding MTX dose, route of administration, prior and concomitant treatments, time to reach ID, and time and method of MTX discontinuation. Conclusion: In this study, the risk of flare was associated with patient’s characteristics, rather than the administration and discontinuation method of MTX.

Objective: Rheumatoid factor (RF)-positive polyarthritis is the least common type of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Functional disability in RF-positive polyarthritis patients is much more severe than in patients with other subtypes; but data on this subtype alone is limited. This study aimed to analyze clinical features, long-term follow-up, treatment response, and remission status in a large multicenter cohort of RF-positive polyarthritis patients. Methods: This retrospective study included RF-positive polyarthritis patients that were followed up for ≥ 6 months between 2017 and 2022 by the Pediatric Rheumatology Academy (PeRA)-Research Group (RG). Data on patient demographics, clinical and laboratory characteristics were obtained from medical charts. JIA treatments and duration of treatment were also recorded. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on methotrexate (MTX) response, as follows: group 1: MTX responsive, group 2: MTX unresponsive. Clinical and laboratory findings were compared between the 2 groups. Results: The study included 56 (45 female and 11 male) patients. The median age at onset of RF-positive polyarthritis was 13.2 years [(interquartile range) (IQR): 9.0–15.0 years] and the median duration of follow-up was 41.5 months (IQR: 19.5–75.7 months). Symmetrical arthritis affecting the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints of the hands was commonly observed. Subcutaneous MTX was the preferred initial treatment; however, it was ineffective in 39 (69.6%) of the patients. Of 25 patients followed for 24 months, 56% still had active disease at 24 months. Conclusion: During 2 years of treatment, 44% of RF-positive polyarthritis patients have inactive disease, and they should be considered as a distinct and important clinical entity requiring aggressive and early treatment.