The University of Western Australia (UWA) is developing a new project to elucidate the key characteristics of this rare condition in Western Australia.
A team led by Prof Johannes Nossent, from UWA’s School of Medicine, is set to find answers about what are the main drivers and consequences of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in Western Australia. The research team, which also included Prof Charles Inderjeeth, Assoc prof Helen Keen, Prof David Preen, and emeritus Prof Prue Manners, hope this project will help uncover valuable data about this debilitating childhood disease.
For many children joint pain from JIA brings limitations of movement and lack of participation in physical activities, on a daily basis. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory condition affecting the joints of children under the age of 16. The condition has no known cause but can be controlled by several types of anti-inflammatory drugs.
“JIA is a significant source of ill health, where children suffer pain and limb deformity that contribute to functional limitations throughout childhood that limit academic progress and participation in physical activities,” Prof Nossent told Medical Forum.
About this condition
JIA is an uncommon chronic condition affecting about one in 1000 Australian children, according to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Depending on how many joints or other parts of the body are affected, JIA can be broken down in six different types:
- oligoarticular JIA – which affects only one or a few joints. This is the most common form.
- polyarticular JIA – this condition affects five or more joints
- systemic JIA – this type affects not only joints, but also other parts of the body, causing high fevers, rashes, swollen glands, aching limbs and fatigue.
- enthesitis-related JIA – a condition that targets the ligaments and tendons associated with the joints, usually affecting the spine, heel, hips, knees and ankles.
- psoriatic JIA – in addition to affecting the joints, this type of JIA also causes psoriasis.
However, there is little information available about the basic characteristics of this disease. “Epidemiological and other information on juvenile arthritis in Australia is insufficient due its relative rarity, making it important, that accurate, reliable and comprehensive information becomes available,” Prof Nossent said.
About the project
According to Prof Nossent, their new project will provide key information about disease characteristics, triggers and health outcomes associated with the disease. The project will analyse data entered into the Western Australia Rheumatic Disease Epidemiology Registry between 1980 and 2015.
“Particular outcomes of interest for this longitudinal observational cohort are the rates and reasons for hospital admission including joint injections, joint surgery, serious infections, pregnancy frequency and outcomes, cancer development, mental health problems, mortality and direct health care costs for JIA,” Prof Nossent explained.
The results of this project will help expand our understanding about this rare condition, and in the process, will help researchers and clinicians gain insights about how to treat patients with this disease.