Spirometric evaluation in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: data from eastern India

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Rheumatology
• Pulmonary Medicine
• Clinical Investigation

Background:

• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting children.
• Pulmonary involvement in JIA is not well-characterized, especially in asymptomatic patients.
• Early detection of lung function abnormalities is crucial for management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate and compare lung function parameters in children diagnosed with JIA against a healthy control group.
• To identify any restrictive or obstructive patterns in pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in JIA patients.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study was conducted with 27 JIA patients (aged 5-12 years) and matched controls.
• Pulmonary function was assessed using spirometry, measuring forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, FEF25-75%, and PEFR.
• JIA patients were classified according to ILAR criteria, and disease characteristics were recorded.

Main Results:

• JIA patients exhibited significantly lower mean FVC and FEV1 compared to controls (p<0.001).
• The FEV1/FVC ratio was similar between JIA patients and controls (p=0.96).
• Mean Z scores for FVC and FEV1 were significantly higher in JIA patients, indicating reduced lung volumes.

Conclusions:

• Spirometry revealed a statistically significant restrictive pattern of pulmonary function alteration in JIA patients.
• Despite the absence of respiratory symptoms, JIA is associated with subclinical lung function impairment.