Analysis of Comorbid Diseases in Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Their Effects on the Disease Process

Purpose: Comorbidities are conditions that exist or occur during an index disease course. Comorbidities may affect the chronic disease process. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic childhood arthritis of unknown etiology. We aimed to evaluate comorbidities associated with JIA and their effects on the course of the disease. Materials and Methods: We included patients under 18 years of age with JIA in our center between 2005 and 2021. All diseases accompanying JIA and recorded in the medical records were considered as comorbidities. JIA disease activity indexes (JADAS27, JSPADAS), damage index (JADI-A, JADI-E), and health assessment questionnaire index (CHAQ) and JIA treatments were compared according to the presence of comorbidity. Results: Two hundred and four patients were included in the study. The median age was 13(4-17.5) years, and the median follow-up time was 5(2-16) years. Ninety-nine (48.5%) patients had at least one comorbidity. Twenty-four patients had more than one comorbidity. The most common comorbidity was FMF (n=31 (15.2%)), followed by uveitis in 23 (11.3%). JADAS 27, and JSPADAS were indifferent in patients with comorbidity (p=0.55, p=0.63, respectively). JADI-A, JADI-E, and CHAQ scores were similar in the two groups (JADI-A:p=0.45; JADI-E:p=0.11; CHAQ disability:p=0.62; CHAQ discomfort:p=0.61; CHAQ pain:p=0.32). Forty-two (42.4%) patients with comorbidities and 43 (41%) patients without comorbidity used biological drugs (p=0.83). Adalimumab treatment was higher in those with comorbidity (patients with comorbidity:n=22 (22.2%); without comorbidity:n=11 (10.5%); p=0.02). Conclusion: Although comorbidity did not affect disease activity, damage score, and Health Assessment Questionnaire index, the JIA treatment varied according to comorbidity

Hidden threat in familial Mediterranean fever: subclinical inflammation, oxidative stress and their relationship with vitamin D status

Background/aim: Vitamin D levels have been investigated in children with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), but the relationship between vitamin D status and inflammation/oxidative stress indicators could not be clearly demonstrated. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between subclinical inflammation/oxidative stress and vitamin D status in children with FMF during an attack-free period. Materials and methods: In the cross-sectional study, ninety children with FMF in the attack-free period and 30 healthy children were included. Patients were grouped according to their vitamin D status (= 0.640) and high TOS levels were negatively associated with vitamin D levels. Conclusion: Subclinical inflammation and oxidative stress were negatively associated with vitamin D levels in patients with FMF during an attack-free period. Sufficient vitamin D levels are important in fighting subclinical inflammation and oxidative stress in children with FMF