To Örebro University

PURPOSE: To evaluate quality of life (QoL) in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

METHODS: Forty children with a mean age of 7.9 years were included. The children underwent an ophthalmological examination and completed questionnaires on physical function (CHAQ) and vision-related (VR) QoL (EYE-Q).

RESULTS: No differences regarding visual acuity (VA), refraction, intraocular pressure or physical or VRQoL were found between those with JIA without (n=33) and those with JIA-associated uveitis (n=7). When comparing physical function measured by CHAQ disability index and JIA subtype, a difference was found; children with polyarthritis scored the worst (p=0.0098). Children with subnormal VA scored worse on EYE-Q compared with those with normal VA (p=0.013). We found correlations between duration of JIA and CHAQ disability index (r=-0.42, p=0.0007) and CHAQ well-being (r=-0.34, p=0.022).

CONCLUSION: This study indicates the importance of measuring not only physical function but also VRQoL in children with JIA and JIA-associated uveitis.