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Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Marta Gruca1, Justyna Zamojska1, Katarzyna Niewiadomska-Jarosik1
1Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Rheumatology, Medical University of Lodz, Sporna 36/50, 91-738 Lodz, Poland.
Insights
Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) face cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors similar to healthy peers. Promoting ideal cardiovascular health is crucial for all children, especially those with chronic conditions like JIA.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Rheumatology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic condition in children.
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors may be present in children with JIA.
- Assessing CVD risk factors in JIA patients is important for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the exposure to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in patients diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
- To compare CVD risk factors, metabolic parameters, and health behaviors between children with JIA and healthy controls.
- To assess intima-media thickness (IMT) as a potential marker for CVD risk in JIA patients.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 45 JIA patients and 37 healthy children.
- Evaluated anthropometric parameters, laboratory tests, and intima-media thickness (IMT).
- Utilized a questionnaire to assess exposure to modifiable CVD risk factors and dietary habits.
Main Results:
- Children with JIA showed a significantly higher prevalence of abnormal Body Mass Index (BMI).
- JIA patients consumed fruit more regularly but also consumed fast food and sweetened beverages more frequently compared to controls.
- Only one JIA patient met ideal cardiovascular health criteria; dietary habits did not correlate with IMT, BMI, or biochemical markers.
Conclusions:
- Patients with JIA exhibit similar exposure to cardiovascular risk factors as their healthy counterparts.
- Achieving ideal cardiovascular health is essential for the pediatric population, particularly for those with chronic diseases like JIA.
- Further research with larger cohorts is needed to validate the use of carotid artery IMT in assessing CVD risk in JIA.
Introduction:
The aim of this study was to assess the exposure to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Intima-media complex thickness (IMT), selected metabolic parameters and health behaviors were assessed in the course of the study.
Methods:
The study included study group, which consisted of 45 patients with JIA and 37 healthy age- and sex-matched children in the control group. Analyses in both groups included anthropometric parameters, laboratory tests, IMT and a questionnaire on exposure to modifiable CVD risk factors.
Results:
The study confirmed that CVD risk factors were present in both groups of patients. Significantly more children with JIA had abnormal BMI (p = 0.006) compared to the control group. Children in the study group were more likely to consume fruit regularly (p = 0.021) and less likely to consume fast food (p = 0.011) and sweetened beverages (p = 0.042) than children in the control group. Only 1 patient with JIA met criteria for ideal cardiovascular health. Dietary habits were not associated with IMT values, BMI, presence of joint pain or biochemical parameters in the study group.
Conclusions:
Patients with JIA are exposed to cardiovascular risk factors equally to their healthy peers. Ideal cardiovascular health should be pursued in the pediatric population with particular attention paid to patients with chronic diseases (i.e., JIA). The application of carotid artery IMT measurement in the assessment of CVD risk requires studies on a larger group of patients.
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