Rotavirus and the web: analysis of online conversations in Italy during 2020.

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea among children worldwide. In 2017, Italy included rotavirus vaccination in its National Immunization Program. The use of social media monitoring, an efficient tool to understand vaccine hesitancy, has increased in recent years; however, only a few examples of such monitoring are available for Italy.

A prediction rule for polyarticular extension in oligoarticular-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objectives: To search for predictors of polyarticular extension in children with oligoarticular-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and to develop a prediction model for an extended course.

Methods: The clinical charts of consecutive patients with oligoarticular-onset JIA and ≥2 years of disease duration were reviewed. Predictor variables included demographic data, number and type of affected joints, presence of iridocyclitis, laboratory tests including antinuclear antibodies, and therapeutic interventions in the first 6 months.

Analysis of arthritis flares after achievement of inactive disease with methotrexate monotherapy in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objectives: To investigate the frequency of arthritis flare and factors affecting occurrence of flare in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) who achieved inactive disease (ID) with methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy.

Methods: A total of 217 patients were included. The modality of treatment discontinuation, time of MTX withdrawal, and disease course were examined retrospectively.

A prediction rule for lack of achievement of inactive disease with methotrexate as the sole disease-modifying antirheumatic therapy in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Background: To investigate the frequency of achievement of inactive disease (ID) in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) treated with methotrexate (MTX) as the sole disease-modifyng antirheumatic (DMARD) therapy and to develop a prediction model for lack of attainment of ID.

Methods: The clinical charts of consecutive patients started with MTX as the sole DMARD between 2000 and 2013 were reviewed. Patient follow-up was censored at first episode of ID or, in case ID was not reached, at last follow-up visit or when a biologic DMARD was prescribed.

Intra-articular corticosteroids versus intra-articular corticosteroids plus methotrexate in oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a multicentre, prospective, randomised, open-label trial.

Background: Little evidence-based information is available to guide the treatment of oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. We aimed to investigate whether oral methotrexate increases the efficacy of intra-articular corticosteroid therapy.

Methods: We did this prospective, open-label, randomised trial at ten hospitals in Italy.

Disease status, reasons for discontinuation and adverse events in 1038 Italian children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis treated with etanercept.

Background: Data from routine clinical practice are needed to further define the efficacy and safety of biologic medications in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The aim of this analysis was to investigate the disease status, reasons for discontinuation and adverse events in Italian JIA patients treated with etanercept (ETN).

Methods: In 2013, all centers of the Italian Pediatric Rheumatology Study Group were asked to make a census of patients given ETN after January 2000.

Defining criteria for high disease activity in juvenile idiopathic arthritis based on the juvenile arthritis disease activity score.

Objective: To determine cutoff values for defining the state of high disease activity (HDA) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) using the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS).

Methods: For the selection of cutoff values, data from a clinical database including 609 patients were used. Optimal cutoff values were determined against external criteria by calculating the 25th and 10th centile of cumulative score distribution and through receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

Possible discontinuation of therapies after clinical remission in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Several studies have examined effects of discontinuing treatment after clinical remission in children with JIA. So far, only methotrexate and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF) inhibitors have been investigated. Overall, the relapse rate after termination of these medications was substantial.

Parent and child acceptable symptom state in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objective: To explore the parent and child acceptable symptom state in juvenile arthritis (JA-PASS and JA-CASS, respectively) and estimate the JA-PASS and JA-CASS cutoff values for outcome measures.

Methods: Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and their parents completed a multi-dimensional questionnaire that included parent-reported and child-reported outcomes and a question about whether they considered the disease state as satisfactory. Additional assessments included demographic data, physician-reported outcomes, and acute-phase reactant levels.