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Incidence of arthritis in urban Finnish children. A prospective study
Insights
This study estimates childhood arthritis incidence in Helsinki. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis affects nearly 20 per 100,000 children, with oligoarticular disease being most common.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Arthritis affects children, necessitating accurate incidence data for public health planning.
- Understanding the prevalence of different arthritis types in pediatric populations is crucial for resource allocation and early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of various pediatric arthritis types in the greater Helsinki area.
- To provide epidemiological data on childhood arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Main Methods:
- A prospective 1-year study was conducted in the greater Helsinki area, covering a population of 148,362 children under 16.
- Patients were identified through primary care physicians, with 71% seen within one week of symptom onset and followed for at least 3 months (or 2 years for prolonged symptoms).
Main Results:
- The overall incidence of childhood arthritis was 108.5 per 100,000 children.
- Specific incidences included: septic arthritis (6.7), enteropathic arthritis (5.4), transient synovitis of the hip (51.9), prolonged arthritis (>3 months) (18.9), and acute transient arthritis (25.8).
- The incidence of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis was 19.6 per 100,000, with oligoarticular disease prevalent in 76% of these cases.
Conclusions:
- Childhood arthritis incidence is significant, with transient synovitis of the hip being the most common diagnosis.
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, particularly the oligoarticular form, represents a notable proportion of chronic pediatric arthritis cases.
- This study provides essential epidemiological data for understanding and managing childhood arthritis in a defined population.
Abstract:
The incidence of various types of arthritis in children was estimated by a prospective 1-year study in the greater Helsinki area (population under 16 years of age: 148,362). Patients were sought from primary care physicians, and 71% of the patients studied were seen within 1 week of the onset of symptoms. All patients received followup care for at least 3 months; patients whose symptoms were prolonged received followup care for a minimum of 2 years. The incidence per 100,000 children under 16 years of age was as follows: 108.5 for all cases of arthritis, 6.7 for septic arthritis, 5.4 for enteropathic arthritis, 51.9 for transient synovitis of the hip, 18.9 for prolonged arthritis (duration greater than 3 months), and 25.8 for acute transient arthritis. The incidence of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis was 19.6. Oligoarticular disease was prevalent (76%) among the juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients.