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Growth velocity and interleukin 6 concentrations in juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Leticia S Souza1, Sandra H Machado, Claiton V Brenol

  • 1Division of Rheumatology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

The Journal of Rheumatology
|October 10, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Low growth velocity is common in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels significantly impact growth, more so than glucocorticoid exposure.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Rheumatology
  • Growth and Development
  • Inflammatory Diseases

Background:

  • Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) can affect growth in children.
  • Inflammatory markers and glucocorticoid treatment are potential factors influencing growth in JIA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the relationship between growth velocity and inflammatory markers.
  • To evaluate the association of growth velocity with cumulative glucocorticoid dose in JIA patients.

Main Methods:

  • Seventy-nine JIA patients were followed for 1 year.
  • Growth velocity was assessed using Tanner curves; low growth velocity was defined as Z-score ≤ -2.
  • Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured, with elevated levels > 1 pg/ml.

Main Results:

  • Low growth velocity was observed in 25.3% of patients.
  • Low growth velocity correlated with active disease, elevated IL-6, ESR, CRP, and higher cumulative glucocorticoid doses.
  • Elevated IL-6 was the only independent negative predictor of growth velocity in regression analysis.

Conclusions:

  • Low growth velocity is prevalent in children with JIA.
  • Elevated IL-6 levels significantly impede growth in JIA.
  • Glucocorticoid exposure appears to be a less significant factor in growth impairment compared to IL-6.
Abstract

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