Objectives
the aim of our study is to analyze the differences and similarities between a group of juvenile-onset spondyloarthritis (JOSpA) (≤16 years) and a group of adult-onset spondyloarthritis (>16 years) (AOSpA)
Methods
This is a retrospective observational study, conducted in the rheumatology department at CHU Hassan II Fez, analyzing the records of patients diagnosed spondyloarthritis during the period extending from January 2009 to June 2014
We realized a descriptive study of our patients (clinical and epidemiological parameters) then we compared JOSpA and AOSpA to emphasize the characteristics of juvenile onset spondyloarthritis
Results
A 84 patients were included 22 with JOSpA and 62 with AOSpA. The mean age was 30,90+/-10,5 years with the average diagnosis delay of 5,68+/-5,74 years. Diagnosis according to ASAS criteria was in 73,8% of cases, according to AMOR criteria in 21,4% of cases and 4,8% according to NYM criteria. Clinical symptomatology was dominated by axial involvement dorsolombalgie in 89,3%
Uveitis was the extra-articular manifestation most common in 8,3%
The average Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) was 4,62+/-1,907, the average Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) was 4,56+/-2,485. 34.5% patients had a hip involvement
The variables associated with JOSpA were lower limb arthritis (p=0.04), hip involvement (p=0,001), enthesitis chest pain (p=0,04) and the use of anti TNF alpha (p=0,008)
After logistic regression analysis the JOSpA was associated with enthesitis chest pain (p=0,011; OR=8,2, IC=1,62–41,34) and the use of anti TNF alpha (p=0,001; OR=9,1; IC=2,39–34,69)
Conclusions
Our study showed that JOSpA is associated with enthesitis and the use of anti TNF alpha. This characterization will help to understand the characteristics of the JOSpA patients and their needs in the long-term follow up