Andrea M. Knight

Identifying Differences in Risk Factors for Depression and Anxiety in Pediatric Chronic Disease: A Matched Cross-Sectional Study of Youth with Lupus/Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and Their Peers with Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE To investigate differences in risk factors for depression and anxiety, such as central nervous system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)/mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), by comparing youth with SLE/MCTD to peers with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). STUDY DESIGN We conducted a cross-sectional study of 50 outpatient pairs, ages 8 years and above, matching subjects with SLE/MCTD and T1D by sex and age group. We screened for depression, suicidal ideation, and anxiety using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Screen for Childhood Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders, respectively. We collected parent-reported mental health treatment data. We compared prevalence and treatment rates between subjects with SLE/MCTD and T1D, and identified disease-specific risk factors using logistic regression. RESULTS Depression symptoms were present in 23%, suicidal ideation in 15%, and anxiety in 27% of participants. Compared with subjects with T1D, subjects with SLE/MCTD had lower adjusted rates of depression and suicidal ideation, yet poorer rates of mental health treatment (24% vs 53%). Non-White race/ethnicity and longer disease duration were independent risk factors for depression and suicidal ideation. Depression was associated with poor disease control in both groups, and anxiety with insulin pump use in subjects with T1D. CONCLUSION Depression and anxiety are high and undertreated in youth with SLE/MCTD and T1D. Focusing on risk factors such as race/ethnicity and disease duration may improve their mental health care. Further study of central nervous system and other disease-related factors may identify targets for intervention.

National Trends in Pediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Hospitalization in the United States: 2000–2009

Objective. In the setting of recent healthcare advances and emphasis on reduced spending, we aimed to characterize US trends in inpatient healthcare use and mortality for pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods. We performed a retrospective, serial, cross-sectional analysis of the national Kids’ Inpatient Database (for 2000, 2003, 2006, and 2009). We identified patients with SLE aged 2 to 21 years using an International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision (ICD-9) code of 710.0 listed as a discharge diagnosis. Using sampling weights, we estimated trends in hospitalization, inpatient mortality, procedure rates, and length of stay (LOS). We analyzed patient and hospital-specific risk factors for mortality and LOS, and compared those outcomes to those without SLE. Results. We identified 26,903 estimated pediatric SLE hospitalizations. The hospitalization rate of 8.6 (95% CI 7.6–9.6) per 100,000 population and mean LOS of 5.9 days (95% CI 5.6–6.2) were stable over time. We found a significant downward trend in mortality, decreasing from 1% to 0.6% (p = 0.04), which paralleled a less pronounced trend for those without SLE. The rate of dialysis, blood transfusions, and vascular catheterization procedures increased. Patients with SLE nephritis and non-white race were at risk for increased healthcare use and death. Conclusion. Pediatric SLE hospitalization rate and LOS remained stable, but inpatient mortality decreased as the rate of common therapeutic procedures increased. More research is needed to understand the drivers of these relationships.

Disparities in Psychiatric Diagnosis and Treatment for Youth with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Analysis of a National US Medicaid Sample

Objective. To estimate the national prevalence and racial/ethnic differences in psychiatric diagnoses and pharmacologic treatment in a US Medicaid beneficiary population of youth with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods. We included youth aged 10 to 18 years with a diagnosis of SLE (defined as ≥ 3 outpatient visit claims with an International Classification of Diseases, 9th ed. code of 710.0, each > 30 days apart) in the US Medicaid Analytic Extract database from 2006 and 2007. This database contains all inpatient and outpatient Medicaid claims from 49 states and the District of Columbia. We calculated the prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses and treatment, and used logistic regression to compare depression and anxiety diagnoses, antidepressant, and anxiolytic use among racial/ethnic groups. Results. Of 970 youth with SLE, 15% were white, 42% were African American, 27% were Latino, and 16% were of other races/ethnicities. Diagnoses of depression were present for 19%, anxiety for 7%, acute stress/adjustment for 6%, and other psychiatric disorders for 18%. Twenty percent were prescribed antidepressants, 7% were prescribed anxiolytics, 6% were prescribed antipsychotics, and 5% were prescribed stimulants. In adjusted analyses, African Americans were less likely than whites to be diagnosed with depression (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.34–0.90) or anxiety (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.25–0.98), or to be prescribed anxiolytics (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.11–0.48). Conclusion. We present population-level estimates showing high psychiatric morbidity in youth with SLE, but less prevalent diagnosis and treatment in African Americans. Mental health interventions should address potential racial/ethnic disparities in care.

Identifying Targets for Improving Mental Healthcare of Adolescents with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Perspectives from Pediatric Rheumatology Clinicians in the United States and Canada

Objective. To identify targets for improving mental healthcare of adolescents with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by assessing current practices and perceived barriers for mental health intervention by pediatric rheumatology clinicians. Methods. Members of the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) completed a Web-based survey assessing current mental health practices, beliefs, and barriers. We examined associations between provider characteristics and the frequency of barriers to mental health screening and treatment using multivariable linear regression. Results. Of the 375 eligible CARRA members, 130 responded (35%) and 119 completed the survey. Fifty-two percent described identification of depression/anxiety in adolescents with SLE at their practice as inadequate, and 45% described treatment as inadequate. Seventy-seven percent stated that routine screening for depression/anxiety in pediatric rheumatology should be conducted, but only 2% routinely used a standardized instrument. Limited staff resources and time were the most frequent barriers to screening. Respondents with formal postgraduate mental health training, experience treating young adults, and practicing at sites with very accessible mental health staff, in urban locations, and in Canada reported fewer barriers to screening. Long waitlists and limited availability of mental health providers were the most frequent barriers to treatment. Male clinicians and those practicing in the Midwest and Canada reported fewer barriers to treatment. Conclusion. Pediatric rheumatology clinicians perceive a need for improved mental healthcare of adolescents with SLE. Potential strategies to overcome barriers include enhanced mental health training for pediatric rheumatologists, standardized rheumatology-based mental health practices, and better integration of medical and mental health services.

The illness experience of youth with lupus/mixed connective tissue disease: a mixed methods analysis of patient and parent perspectives

Objective We aimed to develop a model of the illness experience for youth with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)/mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). Methods We conducted 32 semi-structured interviews with 16 outpatient youth with SLE/MCTD, age 11 to 22 years, and their parents. We qualitatively defined key features of illness for families and distinguished profiles of youth adapting well vs poorly to SLE/MCTD. We then related these profiles to features of illness, patient-level attributes and outcomes. Results Experiences with SLE/MCTD grouped into five themes: managing disease, limitations, stigma, illness uncertainty and psychological coping. Youth adapting well experienced minimal challenges in these areas. Youth adapting poorly (4/16) experienced significant challenges in >1 thematic area, and were older with lower socioeconomic status, quality of life and psychosocial functioning, and increased disease-related morbidity. They also described suboptimal treatment adherence, healthcare utilization and transition to adult care. These findings support a dynamic model in which illness adaptation and outcomes are shaped by patient characteristics and five central illness-related challenges. Conclusion Further testing of our model of illness experience may help guide comprehensive and personalized care of youth with SLE/MCTD, with targeted supports for youth at risk for negative adaptation to illness and poor outcomes.

Depression Risk in Young Adults With Juvenile‐ and Adult‐Onset Lupus: Twelve Years of Followup

To compare major depression risk among young adults with juvenile‐onset and adult‐onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to determine demographic and health‐related predictors of depression.

High Health Care Utilization Preceding Diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Youth

Childhood‐onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with high risk for organ damage, which may be mitigated by early diagnosis and treatment. We characterized health care utilization for youth in the year preceding SLE diagnosis compared to controls.

A50: Mental Health and Healthcare Utilization in Children with SLE and MCTD

Depression and anxiety are prevalent in children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), representing a health‐related burden. SLE healthcare utilization is high, and the impact of these disorders on utilization is unclear. We aimed to characterize the association of depression and anxiety with healthcare utilization in children with SLE and the SLE‐like syndrome of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD).

Presentation of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis due to a novel MUNC 13–4 mutation masked by partial therapeutic immunosuppression

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a potentially fatal disease characterized by excessive macrophage and lymphocyte activity. Patients can be affected following immune activation after an oncologic, autoimmune or infectious trigger. An associated gene mutation may be found which impairs cytolytic lymphocyte function. We describe a pediatric case of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis with a novel mutation of MUNC 13–4 whose diagnosis was confounded by concurrent immunosuppression. Clinical reassessment for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is necessary in persistently febrile patients with laboratory derangements in the setting of immunosuppressive agent exposure.

Opioid Prescribing and Polypharmacy in Children with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

OBJECTIVE Thirty percent of adults with fibromyalgia receive an opioid, but the prevalence of opioid prescribing in pediatric chronic musculoskeletal pain is unknown. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with opioid exposure and polypharmacy among children with chronic musculoskeletal pain. METHODS In this retrospective cohort study using health care claims data from 2000 to 2013, the index date was the first ICD-9 code 729.1. Included subjects were ≥ 2 and < 18 years old at the index date with two or more codes within 12 months and 18 months of continuous enrollment. Subjects with burns, sickle cell disease, or malignancy were excluded. Opioid exposure was defined as one or more prescriptions within six months before or any time after the index date. Polypharmacy was considered minor (2-4 medications) or major (≥5 medications). RESULTS Of 25,321 included subjects, 20% received an opioid and 26% experienced minor polypharmacy. Opioid exposure was associated with female sex (odds ratio [OR] = 1.27, P < 0.01), Caucasian race (OR = 1.27, P < 0.01), hospitalization (OR = 1.20, P < 0.01), and visit with anesthesiology (OR = 1.97, P < 0.01) or orthopedics (OR = 1.09, P < 0.05). Mental health codes were associated with decreased odds of opioid exposure (all P < 0.05). Children seen by a chiropractor or physiatrist had a reduced odds of receipt of an opioid (OR = 0.42 and 0.84, respectively, both P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Twenty percent of children with chronic musculoskeletal pain received an opioid. Twenty-six percent experienced polypharmacy, with the majority receiving 2-4 medications. Increased availability of psychological and nonpharmacologic services are potential strategies to reduce opioid exposure.