B lymphocyte stimulator expression in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus and juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients.

Objective: To assess the expression of B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) in patients with pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Methods: Blood samples collected from patients with pediatric SLE (n = 56) and patients with JIA (n = 54) at the beginning and end of a 6-month interval were analyzed for plasma BLyS protein levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and for blood leukocyte full-length BLyS and DeltaBLyS messenger RNA (mRNA) levels by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (normalized to 18S expression). Healthy siblings (n = 34) of these patients served as controls.

Health-related quality of life in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus and its relationship to disease activity and damage.

Objective: To assess the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients with juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) and its relationship with disease activity and accumulated damage.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, HRQL was assessed using the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ), disease activity using the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), and accumulated damage using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI).

Results: A total of 297 patients were included.

Assessment of damage in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: a multicenter cohort study.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of cumulative organ damage in patients with juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its association with demographic and clinical variables, medication use, and quality of life.

Methods: The occurrence of organ system damage, as measured by the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI), was determined for 387 patients consecutively enrolled in pediatric rheumatology centers from Europe, the US, Mexico, and Japan. Risk factors for damage included demographic variables; clinical manifestations at diagnosis; previous corticosteroid, immunosuppressive, and antimalarial therapies; disease activity; and quality of life.

Hip disease in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

In contrast to adult rheumatoid arthritis, hips are commonly affected joints in severe, destructive, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Hip disease develops in 30 to 50% of children with JRA. Because of the importance of the hip joint in weight bearing the advent of hip disease in a child with JRA warns of future disability [1, 2].

Daily hassles and social support as predictors of adjustment in children with pediatric rheumatic disease.

Objective: To test hypotheses that social support moderates the effects of microstressors on the psychosocial adjustment of children with pediatric rheumatic diseases (PRDs) and that among multiple sources of support, classmate and parent support are significant predictors of adjustment, after controlling for demographic and disease severity variables.

Methods: Children with PRDs (N = 160 children; 8-17 years) were recruited from three pediatric rheumatology centers and completed measures of daily hassles, social support, depressive symptoms, and state and trait anxiety; their parents completed measures of internalizing and externalizing behaviors.

Results: Fewer daily hassles and higher social support predicted fewer adjustment problems.

Development of the Waldron/Varni pediatric pain coping inventory.

The standardized assessment of pediatric pain coping strategies may substantively contribute to the conceptual understanding of individual differences in pediatric pain perception and report. The Waldron/Varni Pediatric Pain Coping Inventory (PPCI) was developed to be a standardized questionnaire to assess systematically children's pain coping strategies. The PPCI was administered to 187 children and adolescents experiencing musculoskeletal pain associated with rheumatologic diseases.