Active clinical trials for "Arthritis, Juvenile"

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) may progress asymptomatically leading to joint destruction despite treatment. The aim of the observational study is to describe patients with silent arthritis comparing symptoms, clinical findings with results of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

In healthy subjects, from 50 to 80 % of the serum ferritin is glycosylated [1, 2] . A decrease in the percentage of ferritin glycosylation can be observed in inflammatory diseases, malignancies, infections, or liver disease but is rarely less than 20% [3 , 4] . Percentage of glycosylated ferritin below 20% have been described in patients with adult Still's disease and haemophagocytosis lymphohistiocytic syndromes (HLH). The glycosylated ferritin has been included in the diagnostic criteria for Still's disease in adults. A cut-off of less than 20 % has a sensitivity and specificity of 72 and 69 % respectively , and 35 and 94 % when combined with a total ferritin level greater than 5 times normal value. This parameter was also suggested to be a more specific marker to confirm a diagnosis of HLH than a high ferritin level ( > 500μg / L). However, several limitations of this parameter were highlighted, some conditions making its interpretation difficult : particularly in cases of major hepatic cytolysis and severe sepsis (miliary tuberculosis, lymphoma and disease Adult Still). It is not always possible to distinguish severe sepsis, HLH syndrome and Still's disease. A fine analysis of various glycoforms components of ferritin could be used to distinguish different subgroups of patients. Few data are available on the mechanism of secretion and glycosylation of ferritin, but the investigators assume that the glycosylation patterns of ferritin may vary between different disease states and reflect distinct underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

The Norwegian JIA Study (NorJIA) is a prospective, longitudinal, multicenter, observational study of 250 children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and 250 healthy controls, attending the three Norwegian university clinics in Bergen, Tromsø, or Trondheim. The study will run over 5 years, and include extensive clinical, laboratory, radiological and oral examinations at baseline and after 2 years follow-up. There will be a special focus on the jaw (temporomandibular joints) with extensive imaging and clinical examination, aiming at establishing scoring systems for active and chronic disease and growth disturbances. Another focus is to study mouth and teeth problems, such as caries and gingivitis, and look for predictors of poor oral health in children with JIA compared to health peers. As chronic inflammation, reduced physical activity and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can be detrimental for bone strength and development, the investigators also want to study the bone health of children with JIA, and look for predictors of poor bone mineral density. The results of the study may contribute to better diagnostics of inflammatory processes, earlier detection of poor oral or bone health, and thereby point to possible prevention strategies to increase quality of life for children with JIA in the future.

"Physical activity and diet in children and young people with arthritis" A qualitative study of exploring stake holder's experiences. Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is the most common type of arthritis in children under the age of 16. The disease and its therapeutic management can cause serious long-term complications, which affect general activities and quality of life. The lack of specific guidelines for safe physical activity and appropriate management of any nutritional deficit aiming our study to find out your views and opinions about the needs of children and young people with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. We want to improve our knowledge about the impact of physical activity and eating habit on juvenile idiopathic arthritis and we want to develop a tool to help evaluate care. Few studies targeting quality of life and wellbeing in children adolescent populations have adopted the diet and physical activity perspective or approaches, consequently, this research project will help to address this gap through: Interview: to look at young people's current experiences with JIA as well as their parents/caregivers and health care professionals. Study findings will provide a snapshot of the current experiences of participants, helping to improve our knowledge about JIA, physical activity, and diet. Qualitative studies exploring people perspectives on their experiences, when collected systematically, adds valuable depth, insight and understanding into the issues related to JIA not possible through quantitative methodologies. This study uses a qualitative approach known as framework methodology to understand stakeholder's experience of what helps and what hinders improving the quality of life in children and young adult with JIA. 21-30 stakeholders will be recruited in Oxford UK, to take part in individual semi-structured guided interviews lasting approximately one hour. Participant responses will be transcribed by the chief investigator and analysed to extract themes that will answer the research question. Delphi study: which aims to develop a diet and physical activity intervention for children and young adult with JIA.