Recent advances in Pediatric Rheumatology: July to September 2018

Abstract

Hanns L, Cordingley L, Galloway J, et al. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2018 Aug 1; 57(8): 1381‐1389. https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/key088 Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is an important cause of disability in children. While assessment of arthritis and response to therapy remains the main focus of the treating rheumatologist, not enough is known about the psychosocial aspect of this condition. In this study Hanns et al. provide accurate data on depressive symptoms seen in 102 adolescent patients with JIA using validated psychometric tools (Mood and Feelings Questionnaire and Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire). The authors found that depressive symptoms were rather common in adolescents with JIA and recommended that adequate screening for depression be carried out in these children. This work highlights the need for a psychological intervention study with the aim of improving long‐term outcomes for adolescents with JIA. The only limitation of the study is the low sensitivity of the questionnaire for detecting minor depressive symptoms.