Development and validation of a pediatric internationally agreed ultrasound knee synovitis protocol (PIUS-knee) by the PReS imaging working party.

Objectives: To identify an optimal pediatric musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) protocol for the detection of knee arthritis in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) including a comparison with existing protocols. Secondary aims were to correlate MSUS-identified B-Mode (BM) and Power Doppler-Mode (PD) synovitis with clinical findings.

Methods: Consecutive JIA patients with confirmed knee arthritis after clinical examination underwent a thorough MSUS study protocol which included views identified and consented by the Pediatric Rheumatology european Society (PReS) Imaging Working Party for the detection of synovitis.

Physical (in)activity and screen-based media use of adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis over time - data from a German inception cohort.

Background: Regular physical activity (PA) has been proven to help prevent non-communicable diseases and is beneficial for disease management in chronically ill populations. Physical inactivity and recreational screen-based media (SBM) use are related to poor health outcomes and common among youth. This study aimed to (1) investigate PA levels and recreational SBM use of adolescents with JIA over time and (2) compare these behaviours with those of their peers.

Risk perception, well-being, depression and anxiety in children and adolescents with rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic - results from the prospective multicenter KICK-COVID study in Germany.

Objective: To investigate the psychosocial burden in children and adolescents with juvenile rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: As part of the multicentre observational KICK-COVID study linked to the National Pediatric Rheumatology Database, adolescents < 21 years and parents of children < 12 years with rheumatic diseases answered questions on perceptions of health risk (PHR) due to SARS-CoV2, stress, well-being (WHO-5) and symptoms of depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7). Data were collected at routine visits from June to December 2021 and assessed for association with demographic and clinical parameters, treatment and patient-reported outcomes by multivariable regression analyses.

Anxiety and depression symptoms in adolescents and young adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: results of an outpatient screening.

Background: Previous studies have shown that growing up with rheumatic conditions can fuel dissatisfaction and psychological distress, which in turn affects disease self-management and treatment adherence. Primary objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in adolescents and young adults (AYA) with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and to identify correlates of conspicuous screening results.

Methods: Initiated as part of the COACH multicenter observational study, outpatients aged 12 to 21 years participating in the National Pediatric Rheumatological Database (NPRD) were prospectively screened for mental health using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7).

Level and correlates of physical activity among children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis compared to controls: results from a German nationwide prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Physical active lifestyles are essential throughout growth and maturation and may offer potential preventive and therapeutic benefit in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Insufficient physical activity (PA), in contrast, can lead to aggravation of disease-related symptoms. This study aimed to i) examine PA levels in children and adolescents with JIA compared to general population controls and ii) investigate correlates of pronounced physical inactivity in order to identify risk groups for sedentary behaviour.

Long-term follow-up of children with chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis-assessment of disease activity, risk factors, and outcome.

Introduction: Chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) is an autoinflammatory bone-disease of unknown origin. The National Pediatric Rheumatologic Database (NPRD) collects long-term data of children and adolescents with rheumatic diseases including CNO.

Objective: To assess characteristics, courses, and outcomes of CNO with onset in childhood and adolescence and to identify outcome predictors.

OMERACT International Consensus for Ultrasound Definitions of Tenosynovitis in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Systematic Literature Review and Delphi Process.

Objective: Synovitis and tenosynovitis are present in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), both as joint pain and/or inflammation, making them difficult to detect on physical examination. Although ultrasonography (US) allows for discrimination of the 2 entities, only definitions and scoring of synovitis in children have been established. This study was undertaken to produce consensus-based US definitions of tenosynovitis in JIA.

Adherence, helpfulness and barriers to treatment in juvenile idiopathic arthritis - data from a German Inception cohort.

Objectives: To develop and evaluate German versions of the Parent Adherence Report Questionnaire (PARQ) and Child Adherence Report Questionnaire (CARQ) and to evaluate adherence in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Methods: The PARQ and CARQ were translated into German, cross-culturally adapted and administered to patients (age ≥ 8 years) and their parents enrolled in the Inception Cohort Study of newly diagnosed JIA patients (ICON). The psychometric issues were explored by analyzing their test-retest reliability and construct validity.

Efficacy and Safety of Etanercept Biosimilars Compared With the Originator for Treatment of Juvenile Arthritis: A Prospective Observational Study.

Objective: Analysis of etanercept biosimilars in pediatric patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in comparison with the etanercept originator in terms of efficacy and safety.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with JIA who started treatment with either the etanercept originator or a biosimilar after January 1, 2017, were selected from the German BIKER registry (Biologics in Paediatric Rheumatology Registry). Furthermore, patients who started therapy with the originator and switched to a biosimilar during the course of therapy were identified.

[Cushing's syndrome with subsequent tertiary adrenocortical insufficiency after simultaneous multiple intra-articular local glucocorticoid treatment : Keep an eye on hormone deficiency conditions requiring treatment after multiple administrations of local steroids].

After simultaneous multiple local treatment with glucocorticoids at 46 sites a 4‑year-old female patient with newly diagnosed polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) initially developed Cushing's syndrome followed by a gradual worsening of her condition and finally an acute high fever urinary tract infection. Iatrogenic adrenocortical insufficiency after multiple intra-articular glucocorticoid administration was diagnosed. The possibility of severe systemic glucocorticoid side effects after extensive local treatment should be included in the regular management of JIA patients.

Re-treatment with etanercept is as effective as the initial firstline treatment in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objectives: To determine (i) correlates for etanercept (ETA) discontinuation after achieving an inactive disease and for the subsequent risk of flare and (ii) to analyze the effectiveness of ETA in the re-treatment after a disease flare.

Methods: Data from two ongoing prospective registries, BiKeR and JuMBO, were used for the analysis. Both registries provide individual trajectories of clinical data and outcomes from childhood to adulthood in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients treated with biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs).

Consumer perspective on healthcare services for juvenile idiopathic arthritis: results of a multicentre JIA inception cohort study.

Objectives: To evaluate healthcare services for patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) from the parent-proxy perspective and to identify factors associated with perceived deficits in care.

Methods: Patients with JIA from 11 paediatric rheumatology units were enrolled in an inception cohort within the first 12 months after diagnosis. Healthcare services were assessed using The Child Healthcare Questionnaire on satisfaction, utilisation and needs.

The new role of musculoskeletal ultrasound in the treat-to-target management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

This article reviews the role of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) for the diagnosis, monitoring and treat-to-target management of JIA. Technological advancements in MSUS allow more precise evaluation of arthritis, tenosynovitis and enthesitis versus clinical examination alone, which may assist treatment decisions. In adult studies, serum and synovial biomarkers have correlated with MSUS findings.

Ultrasound imaging in paediatric rheumatology.

The role of ultrasound imaging in the diagnosis and monitoring of paediatric rheumatic diseases with special emphasis on recent scientific work regarding the evidence base and standardization of this technique is being reviewed. An overview of the most important practical aspects for the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound in a clinical setting is also provided. Huge scientific efforts and advances in recent years illustrate the increasing importance of musculoskeletal ultrasound in pediatric rheumatology.

Correction to: Age dependent ultrasound B-mode findings of the elbow joint in healthy children and adolescents.

The Second author's name was incorrectly published in the original article. The correct name is Hartwig Wilhelm Lehmann.

Age dependent ultrasound B-mode findings of the elbow joint in healthy children and adolescents.

Due to maturation of joints, various changes take place, not only in the field of paediatric rheumatology but also in paediatric orthopaedics musculoskeletal ultrasound plays an important role in both the diagnosis and the follow-up of diseases in this field. To differentiate between physiological and pathological findings, the knowledge of reference values of joint structures is indispensable. The objective was to define B-mode ultrasound age- and sex-related reference values for the elbow joint in healthy children and adolescents during maturation.

Amendment of the OMERACT ultrasound definitions of joints' features in healthy children when using the DOPPLER technique.

Background: Recently preliminary ultrasonography (US) definitions, in B mode, for normal components of pediatric joints have been developed by the OMERACT US group. The aim of the current study was to include Doppler findings in the evaluation and definition of normal joint features that can be visualized in healthy children at different age groups.

Methods: A multistep approach was used.

Arthrosonographic Reference Values of the Shoulder Joint in Healthy Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Multicentre Ultrasound Study.

Unlabelled: Defining of gray scale ultrasound standard reference values of the shoulder joint in childhood and adolescence during maturation.

Patients: We examined 445 healthy girls and boys between 1 year and 18 years of age. A cross-sectional multicentre grey-scale ultrasound study was performed to examine the shoulder joint on both sides.

Age-Related Vascularization and Ossification of Joints in Children: An International Pilot Study to Test Multiobserver Ultrasound Reliability.

Objective: To determine the intra- and interobserver reliability of ultrasound (US)-detected age-related joint vascularization and ossification grading in healthy children.

Methods: Following standardized image acquisition and machine setting protocols, 10 international US experts examined 4 joints (wrist, second metacarpophalangeal joint, knee, and ankle) in 12 healthy children (divided into 4 age groups: 2-4, 5-8, 9-12, and 13-16 years). Gray-scale was used to detect the ossification grade, and power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) was used to detect physiologic vascularization.