Pediatric Rheumatology Online Journal · 7 authors, 6 centres
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This cross-sectional case-control study found that children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) had significantly lower cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular fitness compared to healthy controls, despite being in the era of biologic therapies.
This cross-sectional case-control study assessed cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular fitness in 73 children with JIA and 73 healthy controls. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured by maximal ergospirometry, showing significantly lower maximal workload (2.80 vs. 3.14 Wmax/kg, p<0.01) and peak oxygen uptake (38.7 vs. 45.8 ml/min/kg, p<0.01) in JIA patients. Neuromuscular fitness tests (shuttle-run, sit-up, standing long jump) also showed lower results in JIA patients (p<0.01). JIA patients were less physically active (89.0 vs. 112.7 min/day, p<0.05) and had higher sedentary time (427 vs. 343 min/day, p<0.05). The study suggests JIA patients have impaired fitness and physical activity, supporting the need for multidisciplinary treatment protocols including physical activity. Limitations include potential selection bias from a 54% participation rate and no power analysis.
