Examination of Physical Activity Level and Psychosocial Status in Children and Adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to examine the physical activity level (PAL) and psychosocial status in children/adolescents with
juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and compare them with healthy controls.

Methods: This is a case-control study. The data was collected between September 01, 2022 and November 01, 2022
at Pamukkale University Hospital Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic and Pediatric Rheumatology Physiotherapy and
Rehabilitation Unit. Fourteen children/adolescents with JIA (mean age=12.35 ± 2.16 years) and 15 healthy children/
adolescents (mean age=13.20 ± 1.61 years) participated in the study. Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire
(CHAQ), 1-day PAL (MET-Metabolic Equivalent of Task and Energy Consumption), and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory
TM 3.0 Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (PedsQL-MFS) (general, sleep/rest, and cognitive) were used for evaluation. In
addition, 27-joint Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS-27) and Juvenile Arthritis Biopsychosocial Scale (JAB-Q)
(child, family, and clinician) were used in JIA.

Results: Height (P=.005) and body weight (P=.023) were lower in JIA compared to healthy controls. In group comparison, CHAQ dressing (P=.002), reaching (P < .001), eating (P < .001), arising (P < .001), grip (P < .001), walking (P <
.001), hygiene (P < .001), activity (P < .001), and total score (P < .001) were significant in favor of healthy controls. The
groups were similar in MET (P = .621), energy expenditure (P = .425), PedsQL-MFS (sleep/rest) (P = .405), PedsQL-MFS
(general) (P = .710), and PedsQL-MFS (cognitive) (P = .599). The JADAS-27 score of JIA was correlated with CHAQ total (r
= 0.571, P = .033) and JAB-Q child (r=0.567, P=.035) and JAB-Q clinician (r = 0.811, P < .001).

Conclusion: Compared to healthy controls, JIA patients had lower body composition and functionality. Although
fatigue and MET-energy expenditure were worse, there was no statistical difference. Disease activity was associated
with functionality and child and clinician psychosocial status. The disease may have caused developmental delays and affect the psychosocial status as well as limitations in daily activities in JIA. Energy expenditure and fatigue need to be
investigated with larger sample sizes.

Cite this article as: Küçükçeti̇nkaya A, Başakçı Çalık B, Gür Kabul E, Kılbaş G, Yüksel S. Examination of physical activity level and psychosocial status in children and
adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a comparative study. Arch Health Sci Res. 2025, 12, 0206, doi:10.5152/ArcHealthSciRes.2025.25206.