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Higher dropout rates observed in young patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in transition

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The transition process in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis was not correlated with an increase in disease activity as previously thought; however, the transition period had a risk of increased dropouts, especially in patients with low disease activity, according to research presented at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual European Congress of Rheumatology.

In a 3-year observational follow-up study, 176 patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) were evaluated. Researchers divided patients into three age classes based on treatment location: pediatric rheumatology (age class 1: 10 years to 13 years), patients in the transition process (age class 2: 14 years to 17 years) and patients treated by adult rheumatologists (age class 3: 18 years to 24 years). If a patient did not attend a clinic during the entire third year of the study period, he or she was considered a drop out. Differences between age classes were determined by non-parametric tests.

Research findings showed age classes were not different in regard to baseline variables of JIA subtype, gender, uveitis, antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor, human leucocyte antigens subtype B-27-positivity, or the current or past use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Additionally, the median disease activity did not differ between age-classes at baseline and after 3 years.

The dropout rate was 20% for the entire study. Compared with patients in age class 1 and 3, patients under transition had significantly higher dropout rates.

According to the researchers, significantly lower disease activity at baseline was observed in patients who dropped out. – by Monica Jaramillo

Reference:

Van Pelt P, et al. Paper #OP0021. Presented at: European League Against Rheumatism Annual European Congress of Rheumatology; June 10-13, 2015; Rome.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.