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A two-year prospective controlled study of bone mass and bone turnover in children with early juvenile idiopathic

Gunhild Lien1, Anne M Selvaag, Berit Flatø

  • 1Rikshospitalet University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. gunhild.lien@chello.no <gunhild.lien@chello.no>

Arthritis and Rheumatism
|March 8, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) experience reduced bone mass gains and lean mass early in the disease. Weight-bearing activity and bone turnover markers predict bone mass changes in JIA patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Rheumatology
  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Bone Metabolism

Background:

  • Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting children.
  • Bone health is a significant concern in JIA due to potential long-term consequences.
  • Early identification of bone mass reduction predictors is crucial for intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate early bone mass changes in children with JIA.
  • To identify predictors of bone mass reduction in pediatric JIA patients.
  • To differentiate bone mass trajectories between JIA patients and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study matching 108 children with early JIA to 108 healthy controls.
  • Assessment of bone mineral density, bone mineral content, body composition, and growth at baseline and 24-month follow-up.
  • Analysis of biochemical markers of bone turnover and weight-bearing activities.

Main Results:

  • JIA patients showed significantly lower gains in total body bone mineral content and lean mass compared to healthy children.
  • Reduced bone formation, bone resorption, and weight-bearing activities were noted in JIA patients.
  • Serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, C-telopeptide of type I collagen, and weight-bearing activities predicted total body bone mineral content changes in JIA.

Conclusions:

  • Children with JIA exhibit moderate reductions in bone mass accrual and lean mass early in their disease course.
  • Bone turnover and weight-bearing activities are significantly impacted in early JIA.
  • Specific biochemical markers and physical activity levels are key predictors of bone health in pediatric JIA.
Abstract

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