Objective: We sought to measure self-reported health related quality of life (HRQOL) and psychosocial adaptation in children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and reactive arthritis and to determine factors associated with these outcomes.
Methods: We interviewed 72 children and adolescents with chronic arthritis, age 8-16, about HRQOL (KINDL-R-Questionnaire) and functional ability in activities of daily living (Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire-CHAQ). Mothers reported behavior problems (Child Behavior Checklist-CBCL).
Results: Children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and reactive arthritis reported lower HRQOL compared to normative data in several areas. Children reported lower QOL in the dimensions self-esteem; adolescents reported lower QOL in the dimensions physical well being and total QOL. Almost 20% of the sample appeared to have serious behavior problems, mostly social isolation and depression/anxiety. Functional limitations affected HRQOL and behavior problems. Inpatient children and adolescents and those with shorter disease duration reported lower QOL than outpatient children and adolescents and those with longer disease duration. Best predictors for impaired HRQOL were functional limitations, social isolation and depression/anxiety.
Conclusions: Self-reported HRQOL and behavior problems may be relevant outcome measures in children and adolescents with chronic arthritis and useful to monitor psychosocial support in this population.