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Mental health and psychosocial functioning in children with recent onset of rheumatic disease

I H Vandvik1

  • 1Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Hospital of Norway, Oslo.

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines
|September 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Early mental health issues are common in children with juvenile rheumatic disease, with 64% experiencing psychosocial dysfunction. Psychiatric diagnoses were given to half the patients, highlighting the need for early intervention in pediatric rheumatic conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Rheumatology
  • Child Psychiatry
  • Mental Health Research

Background:

  • Juvenile rheumatic diseases (JRD) can significantly impact a child's overall well-being.
  • Early identification of mental health concerns in pediatric patients is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the prevalence of mental health issues in children diagnosed with juvenile rheumatic disease.
  • To assess the severity of psychosocial dysfunction in this patient population.

Main Methods:

  • Interviews with 106 parents and assessments of 98 children (aged 1-17) hospitalized with JRD.
  • Utilized standardized instruments: Child Assessment Schedule (CAS), Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS), and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).

Main Results:

  • A psychiatric diagnosis was assigned to 50% of the patients.
  • Mild to severe psychosocial dysfunction was identified in 64% of children with JRD.
  • A negative correlation was observed between CGAS scores and disease severity in the polyarthritic subgroup.

Conclusions:

  • Children with juvenile rheumatic disease frequently experience mental health challenges and psychosocial dysfunction.
  • Early mental health screening and intervention are warranted for pediatric rheumatic disease patients.
  • While CBCL scores showed no difference between patients and siblings after somatic correction, overall dysfunction is prevalent.

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