Investigation of the impact of COVID-19 in Children/ adolescents with Juvenile idiopathic Arthritis from a Holistic Perspective: A Controlled Trial
Objective: The study aimed to examine the effect of coronavirus (COVID-19) exposure on the function and quality of life in children/adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA).
Materials and Methods: 45 children/adolescents diagnosed with JIA (29 female, 16 male) were included. The impact of coronavirus was questioned with the Numerical Analog Scale, disability level with the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ), and quality of life with the Pediatric Quality Of Life Inventory 3.0. Module Arthritis (PedsQL). Participants were divided into two groups: JIA with COVID-19 (n=21) and without COVID-19 (n=24).
Results: The mean age of children/adolescents with JIA’s mean age was 13.16 ± 3.53 and disease duration was 3.58 ±2.93 years. There was no difference in impact from coronavirus, quality of life, and disability level between JIA with COVID-19 (46.7%) and without COVID-19 (53.3%)(p>0.05). General health impact from coronavirus had moderate correlation with quality of life-child (r=-0.371) and high correlation with disability level (r=0.511). Psychosocial impact from coronavirus had moderate correlation with quality of life-child (r=-0.493) and quality of life-parent (r=-0,361) and high correlation with disability level (r=0.536). Activity impact from coronavirus had a moderate correlation with quality of life-child (r=-0.371) and a moderate correlation with disability level (r=0.444).
Conclusion: According to our data results, during the pandemic period, children/adolescents with JIA were affected by the coronavirus at the same level whether they had COVID-19 or not, and their quality of life and disability levels did not change. Coronavirus has affected general health and activity, reducing the quality of life and increasing the level of disability. Psychosocially, it reduced the quality of life of both the child/adolescent with JIA and the parents.