MRP8/14 serum levels as diagnostic markers for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children with prolonged fever.

OBJECTIVES: Differential diagnosis in children with prolonged fever is challenging. In particular, differentiating systemic-onset JIA (SJIA) from infectious diseases is difficult. Biomarkers are needed that support the diagnostic work-up. The aim of this study was to validate the usefulness of Myeloid-related protein 8/14 (MRP8/14) measurements in the diagnostic work-up of febrile children and to transfer it to clinical practice. METHODS: Data for 1110 paediatric patients were included and divided into two cohorts: (cohort A) for validation of MRP8/14 test performance with three different testing systems: the experimental ELISA, commercial ELISA and an innovative (point-of-care test) lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA); (cohort B) to validate the diagnostic accuracy with the two latter assays. RESULTS: In cohort A (n = 940), MRP8/14 was elevated in SJIA (12 110 ± 2650 ng/ml mean ± 95% CI) compared with other diagnoses (including infections and autoinflammatory diseases; 2980 ± 510 ng/ml) irrespective of fever and anti-inflammatory treatment (P < 0.001). In untreated patients with fever (n = 195) MRP8/14 levels in SJIA (19 740 ± 5080 ng/ml) were even higher compared with other diagnoses (4590 ± 1160 ng/ml) (P < 0.001, sensitivity 73%, specificity 90%). In group B1, the performance of the tests was confirmed in untreated patients with fever (n = 170): commercial ELISA (sensitivity 79%, specificity 89%) and LFIA (sensitivity 84%, specificity 81%). Compared with ferritin, IL-18, ESR, soluble IL-2 receptor and procalcitonin, MRP8/14 showed the best accuracy. CONCLUSION: MRP8/14 serum analyses have been validated as a helpful tool supporting the diagnosis of SJIA in febrile children. The results could be confirmed with commercial ELISA and LFIA enabling a rapid diagnostic point-of-care screening test.

Development and initial validation of the MS score for diagnosis of macrophage activation syndrome in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a diagnostic score that aids in identifying macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) in patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA). METHODS: The clinical and laboratory features of 362 patients with sJIA-associated MAS and 404 patients with active sJIA without evidence of MAS were collected in a multinational collaborative project. Eighty percent of the study population was used to develop the score and the remaining 20% constituted the validation sample. A Bayesian Model Averaging approach was used to assess the role of each clinical and laboratory variables in the diagnosis of MAS and to obtain the coefficients of selected variables. The final score, named MAS/sJIA (MS) score, resulted from the linear combination of these coefficients multiplied by the values of each variable. The cut-off that best discriminated MAS from active sJIA was calculated by means of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Score performance was evaluated in both developmental and validation samples. RESULTS: The MS score ranges from -8.4 to 41.8 and comprises seven variables: central nervous system dysfunction, haemorrhagic manifestations, active arthritis, platelet count, fibrinogen, lactate dehydrogenase and ferritin. A cut-off value ≥-2.1 revealed the best performance in discriminating MAS from active sJIA, with a sensitivity of 0.85, a specificity of 0.95 and a kappa value of 0.80. The good performance of the MS score was confirmed in the validation sample. CONCLUSION: The MS score is a powerful and feasible tool that may assist practitioners in making a timely diagnosis of MAS in patients with sJIA.

Subcutaneous or intravenous opioid administration by patient-controlled analgesia in cancer pain: a systematic literature review.

CONTEXT: Opioids administered by various routes are a mainstay of tumour-related pain management. Subcutaneous or intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with opioids is an appropriate and safe form of treatment for postoperative pain but studies on this form of administration are sparse in the setting of cancer pain despite widespread use. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the published studies on opioids administered by subcutaneous and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia for patients with cancer pain. METHODS: Articles were identified from the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library Issue 7, 2016), PubMed (Medline; 1975 to 2016) and EMBASE (1974 to 2016). Additional reports were identified from the reference lists of retrieved papers. Studies based on original data with a focus on intravenous or subcutaneous PCA administration of opioids in patients suffering from cancer-related pain were selected. The language was restricted to Dutch, English or German. Predefined information was extracted depending on the topic. RESULTS: Fifty studies published since 1980 met the inclusion criteria. A wide range of study designs, study quality and research objectives were observed. The studies indicated use of standard or by proxy PCA in the inpatient and outpatient setting were safe and useful while significant adverse effects were rarely observed. CONCLUSION: This systematic review of the current evidence suggests PCA can be appropriately used in a wide range of clinical situations.

Clinical and Economic Long-Term Treatment Outcome of Children and Adolescents with Disabling Chronic Pain.

Objective: Disabling pediatric chronic pain is accompanied by a significant burden to those affected and by high societal costs. Furthermore, it bears the risk of aggravation into adulthood. Studies have shown intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment to result in short-term positive effects on pain-related and psychological outcomes. In this study, we aimed to prove the stability of the long-term effects of intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment four years after treatment. Methods: This longitudinal observational study followed adolescents who had received intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment over four years. We defined a combined end point, overall improvement (pain intensity, pain-related disability, and school/work absence), and investigated three additional psychological outcome domains (anxiety, depression, pain catastrophizing). We also examined changes to economic parameters (health care utilization, subjective financial burden) and their relationship to patient improvement. Results: Similar patterns were observed for pain-related and psychological outcome domains, with data showing statistically and clinically significant reductions from admission to four-year follow-up. These positive effects were stable from one- to four-year follow-up. Approximately 60% of the adolescents showed an overall long-term improvement. Older age was found to be a risk factor for treatment failure. Economic parameters decreased statistically significantly, particularly for those with an overall improvement of the chronic pain disorder. Conclusions: The results of this study support the long-term effectiveness of intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment and indicate that it can interrupt pain chronification. Future research is warranted to investigate why some of the adolescents did not show improvement and to allow for a more individualized treatment.

A two-step multidisciplinary approach to treat recurrent esophageal strictures in children with epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica.

In children with severe generalized recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), esophageal scarring leads to esophageal strictures with dysphagia, followed by malnutrition and delayed development. We describe a two-step multidisciplinary therapeutic approach to overcome malnutrition and growth retardation. In Step 1, under general anesthesia, orthograde balloon dilation of the esophagus is followed by gastrostomy creation using a direct puncture technique. In Step 2, further esophageal strictures are treated by retrograde dilation via the established gastrostomy; this step requires only a short sedation period. A total of 12 patients (median age 7.8 years, range 6 weeks to 17 years) underwent successful orthograde balloon dilation of esophageal strictures combined with direct puncture gastrostomy. After 12 and 24 months in 11 children, a substantial improvement of growth and nutrition was achieved (body mass index [BMI] standard deviation score [SDS] + 0.59 and + 0.61, respectively). In one child, gastrostomy was removed because of skin ulcerations after 10 days. Recurrent esophageal strictures were treated successfully in five children. The combined approach of balloon dilation and gastrostomy is technically safe in children with RDEB, and helps to promote catch-up growth and body weight. In addition, recurrent esophageal strictures can be treated successfully without general anesthesia in a retrograde manner via the established gastrostomy.

11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases chronic primary pain diagnoses in children and adolescents: representation of pediatric patients in the new classification system.

ABSTRACT: Chronic pain is common among children and adolescents; however, the diagnoses in the newly developed 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) chronic pain chapter are based on adult criteria, overlooking pediatric neurodevelopmental differences. The chronic pain diagnoses have demonstrated good clinical applicability in adults, but to date, no field study has examined these diagnoses to the most specific diagnostic level in a pediatric sample. The current study aimed to explore pediatric representation within the ICD-11, with focus on chronic primary pain. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) at a specialized pediatric pain center documented the symptoms of and assigned both ICD-10 and ICD-11 diagnoses to N = 402 patients. Using criteria-based computer algorithms, specific ICD-11 pain diagnoses were allocated for each documented pain location, with residual diagnoses (ie, "unspecified") assigned if criteria were not (fully) met. Within the ICD-11, the algorithms assigned specific pain diagnoses to most patients (73.6%). In ICD-10, HCPs could not specify a diagnosis for 5.2% of patients; the ICD-11 algorithm allocated a residual chronic primary pain diagnosis in 51.2%. Residual categories were especially prevalent among younger children, boys, patients with headaches, and those with lower pain severity. Overall, clinical utility of the ICD-11 was high, although less effective for chronic back pain and headache diagnoses. The latter also exhibited the lowest agreement between HCPs and algorithm. The current study underscores the need for evidence-based improvements to the ICD-11 diagnostic criteria in pediatrics. Developing pediatric coding notes could improve the visibility of patients internationally and improve the likelihood of receiving reimbursement for necessary treatments through accurate coding.

Evidence and consensus based GKJR guidelines for the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic disease in children and adolescents. Immunomodulatory drugs are used frequently in its treatment. Using the nominal group technique (NGT) and Delphi method, we created a multidisciplinary, evidence- and consensus-based treatment guideline for JIA based on a systematic literature analysis and three consensus conferences. Conferences were headed by a professional moderator and were attended by representatives who had been nominated by their scientific societies or organizations. 15 statements regarding drug therapy, symptomatic and surgical management were generated. It is recommended that initially JIA is treated with NSAID followed by local glucocorticoids and/or methotrexate if unresponsive. Complementing literature evidence with long-standing experience of caregivers allows creating guidelines that may potentially improve the quality of care for children and adolescents with JIA.

The Toll-like receptor 4 agonist MRP8/14 protein complex is a sensitive indicator for disease activity and predicts relapses in systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Analysis of myeloid-related protein 8 and 14 complex (MRP8/14) serum concentrations is a potential new tool to support the diagnosis of systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) in the presence of fever of unknown origin. OBJECTIVE: To test the ability of MRP8/14 serum concentrations to monitor disease activity in patients with SJIA and stratify patients at risk of relapse. METHODS: Serum concentrations of MRP8/14 in 52 patients with SJIA were determined by a sandwich ELISA. The monitoring of therapeutic regimens targeting interleukin 1 and tumour necrosis factor α, and methotrexate treatment was analysed and diagnostic power to predict flares was tested. RESULTS: MRP8/14 levels were clearly raised in active disease and decreased significantly in response to successful treatments. Serum concentrations of MRP8/14 increased significantly (p<0.001) (mean±95% CI 12.030±3.090 ng/ml) during disease flares compared with patients with inactive disease (864±86 ng/ml). During clinical remission MRP8/14 serum levels of >740 ng/ml predicted disease flares accurately (sensitivity 92%, specificity 88%). MRP8/14 levels correlated well with clinical disease activity, as assessed by physician's global assessment of disease activity (r=0.62), Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (r=0.56), active joint count (r=0.46) and with C-reactive protein (r=0.71) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r=0.72) (for all p<0.001). CONCLUSION: MRP8/14 serum concentrations correlate closely with response to drug treatment and disease activity and therefore might be an additional measurement for monitoring anti-inflammatory treatment of individual patients with SJIA. MRP8/14 serum concentrations are the first predictive biomarker indicating subclinical disease activity and stratifying patients at risk of relapse during times of clinically inactive disease.

Phagocyte-specific S100 proteins and high-sensitivity C reactive protein as biomarkers for a risk-adapted treatment to maintain remission in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVES: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disease affecting children. Even if remission is successfully induced, about half of the patients experience a relapse after stopping anti-inflammatory therapy. The present study investigated whether patients with JIA at risk of relapse can be identified by biomarkers even if clinical signs of disease activity are absent. METHODS: Patients fulfilling the criteria of inactive disease on medication were included at the time when all medication was withdrawn. The phagocyte activation markers S100A12 and myeloid-related proteins 8/14 (MRP8/14) were compared as well as the acute phase reactant high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP) as predictive biomarkers for the risk of a flare within a time frame of 6 months. RESULTS: 35 of 188 enrolled patients experienced a flare within 6 months. Clinical or standard laboratory parameters could not differentiate between patients at risk of relapse and those not at risk. S100A12 and MRP8/14 levels were significantly higher in patients who subsequently developed flares than in patients with stable remission. The best single biomarker for the prediction of flare was S100A12 (HR 2.81). The predictive performance may be improved if a combination with hsCRP is used. CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical disease activity may result in unstable remission (ie, a status of clinical but not immunological remission). Biomarkers such as S100A12 and MRP8/14 inform about the activation status of innate immunity at the molecular level and thereby identify patients with unstable remission and an increased risk of relapse.

Etiology, Risk Factors, and Diagnosis of Back Pain in Children and Adolescents: Evidence- and Consensus-Based Interdisciplinary Recommendations.

Using a structured approach and expert consensus, we developed an evidence-based guideline on the diagnosis of back pain and the treatment of non-specific back pain in children and adolescents. The first part comprises etiology, risk factors, and diagnosis. The second part, published in the same issue, includes treatment and prevention. A comprehensive and systematic literature search was conducted to identify relevant guidelines and studies. Based on the findings of this literature search, recommendations on risk factors and diagnosis were formulated and voted on by experts in a structured consensus-building process. Notable red flags for specific back pain and evidence-based risk factors for non-specific back pain in children and adolescents were identified. Only three evidence-based recommendations could be formulated for causes, red flags, and risk factors for back pain, while two recommendations are based on expert consensus. Regarding diagnostics, eight expert consensus recommendations and one evidence-based recommendation could be provided. Despite the importance of adequate diagnosis for the treatment of back pain in children and adolescents, results of this work confirm the deficit in research investment in this area.

Treatment of Unspecific Back Pain in Children and Adolescents: Results of an Evidence-Based Interdisciplinary Guideline.

Using a structured approach and expert consensus, we developed an evidence-based guideline on the treatment and prevention of non-specific back pain in children and adolescents. A comprehensive and systematic literature search identified relevant guidelines and studies. Based on the findings of this literature search, recommendations on treatment and prevention were formulated and voted on by experts in a structured consensus-building process. Physical therapy (particularly physical activity) and psychotherapy (particularly cognitive behavioral therapy) are recommended for treating pediatric non-specific back pain. Intensive interdisciplinary treatment programs should be provided for chronic and severe pain. Drug therapy should not be applied in children and adolescents. Further research on non-specific back pain in childhood and adolescence is strongly needed to reduce the imbalance between the high burden of non-specific back pain in childhood and adolescence and the low research activity in this field.

Severe Form of ßIV-Spectrin Deficiency With Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Cardiomyopathy-A Case Report.

ßIV-spectrin is a protein of the spectrin family which is involved in the organization of the cytoskeleton structure and is found in high quantity in the axon initial segment and the nodes of Ranvier. Together with ankyrin G, ßIV-spectrin is responsible for the clustering of KCNQ2/3-potassium channels and NaV-sodium channels. Loss or reduction of ßIV-spectrin causes a destabilization of the cytoskeleton and an impairment in the generation of the action potential, which leads to neuronal degeneration. Furthermore, ßIV-spectrin has been described to play an important role in the maintenance of the neuronal polarity and of the diffusion barrier. ßIV-spectrin is also located in the heart where it takes an important part in the structural organization of ion channels and has also been described to participate in cell signaling pathways through binding of transcription factors. We describe two patients with a severe form of ßIV-spectrin deficiency. Whole-exome sequencing revealed the homozygous stop mutation c.6016C>T (p.R2006*) in the SPTBN4 gene. The phenotype of these patients is characterized by profound psychomotor developmental arrest, respiratory insufficiency and deafness. Additionally one of the patients presents with cardiomyopathy, optical nerve atrophy, and mitochondrial dysfunction. This is the first report of a severe form of ßIV-spectrin deficiency with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Cerebral arterial stenoses and stroke: novel features of Aicardi-Goutières syndrome caused by the Arg164X mutation in SAMHD1 are associated with altered cytokine expression.

Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) is a rare inborn multisystemic disease, resembling intrauterine viral infection and resulting in psychomotor retardation, spasticity and chilblain-likeskin lesions. Diagnostic criteria include intracerebral calcifications and elevated interferon-alpha and pterin levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We report on four adult siblings with unknown neurodegenerative disease presenting with cerebrovascular stenoses, stroke and glaucoma in childhood, two of whom died at the age of 40 and 29 years. Genome-wide homozygosity mapping identified 170 candidate genes embedded in a common haplotype of 8Mb on chromosome 20q11-13. Next generation sequencing of the entire region identified the c.490C>T (p.Arg164X) mutationin SAMHD1, a gene most recently described in AGS, on both alleles in all affected siblings.Clinical diagnosis of AGS was then confirmed by demonstrating intracerebral calcifications on cranial computed tomography in all siblings and elevated pterin levels in CSF in three of them. Inpatient fibroblasts, lack of SAMHD1 protein expression was associated with increased basal expression of IL8, while stimulated expression of IFNB1 was reduced. We conclude that cerebrovascular stenoses and stroke associated with the Arg164X mutation in SAMHD1 extend the phenotypic spectrum of AGS. The observed vascular changes most likely reflect a vasculitis caused by dysregulated inflammatory stress response.

Diagnostic value of [(18)F]-FDG PET/CT in children with fever of unknown origin or unexplained signs of inflammation.

PURPOSE: Fever of unknown origin (FUO) and unexplained signs of inflammation are challenging medical problems especially in children and predominantly caused by infections, malignancies or noninfectious inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of (18)F-FDG PET and PET/CT in the diagnostic work-up in paediatric patients. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 47 FDG PET and 30 PET/CT scans from 69 children (median age 8.1 years, range 0.2-18.1 years, 36 male, 33 female) were analysed. The diagnostic value of PET investigations in paediatric patients presenting with FUO (44 scans) or unexplained signs of inflammation without fever (33 scans) was analysed. RESULTS: A diagnosis in paediatric patients with FUO or unexplained signs of inflammation could be established in 32 patients (54%). Of all scans, 63 (82%) were abnormal, and of the total number of 77 PET and PET/CT scans 35 (45%) were clinically helpful. In patients with a final diagnosis, scans were found to have contributed to the diagnosis in 73%. Laboratory, demographic or clinical parameters of the children did not predict the usefulness of FDG PET scans. CONCLUSION: This is the first larger study demonstrating that FDG PET and PET/CT may be valuable diagnostic tools for the evaluation of children with FUO and unexplained signs of inflammation. Depicting inflammation in the whole body, while not being traumatic, it is attractive for use especially in children. The combination of PET with CT seems to be superior, since the site of inflammation can be localized more accurately.

Methotrexate withdrawal at 6 vs 12 months in juvenile idiopathic arthritis in remission: a randomized clinical trial.

CONTEXT: Novel therapies have improved the remission rate in chronic inflammatory disorders including juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Therefore, strategies of tapering therapy and reliable parameters for detecting subclinical inflammation have now become challenging questions. OBJECTIVES: To analyze whether longer methotrexate treatment during remission of JIA prevents flares after withdrawal of medication and whether specific biomarkers identify patients at risk for flares. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Prospective, open, multicenter, medication-withdrawal randomized clinical trial including 364 patients (median age, 11.0 years) with JIA recruited in 61 centers from 29 countries between February 2005 and June 2006. Patients were included at first confirmation of clinical remission while continuing medication. At the time of therapy withdrawal, levels of the phagocyte activation marker myeloid-related proteins 8 and 14 heterocomplex (MRP8/14) were determined. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly assigned to continue with methotrexate therapy for either 6 months (group 1 [n = 183]) or 12 months (group 2 [n = 181]) after induction of disease remission. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was relapse rate in the 2 treatment groups; secondary outcome was time to relapse. In a prespecified cohort analysis, the prognostic accuracy of MRP8/14 concentrations for the risk of flares was assessed. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analysis of the primary outcome revealed relapse within 24 months after the inclusion into the study in 98 of 183 patients (relapse rate, 56.7%) in group 1 and 94 of 181 (55.6%) in group 2. The odds ratio for group 1 vs group 2 was 1.02 (95% CI, 0.82-1.27; P = .86). The median relapse-free interval after inclusion was 21.0 months in group 1 and 23.0 months in group 2. The hazard ratio for group 1 vs group 2 was 1.07 (95% CI, 0.82-1.41; P = .61). Median follow-up duration after inclusion was 34.2 and 34.3 months in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Levels of MRP8/14 during remission were significantly higher in patients who subsequently developed flares (median, 715 [IQR, 320-1 110] ng/mL) compared with patients maintaining stable remission (400 [IQR, 220-800] ng/mL; P = .003). Low MRP8/14 levels indicated a low risk of flares within the next 3 months following the biomarker test (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.62-0.90). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with JIA in remission, a 12-month vs 6-month withdrawal of methotrexate did not reduce the relapse rate. Higher MRP8/14 concentrations were associated with risk of relapse after discontinuing methotrexate. TRIAL REGISTRATION: isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN18186313.

Anesthesia for balloon dilatation of esophageal strictures in children with epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica: from intubation to sedation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is a rare disease mainly affecting small children. They often have to undergo different surgical procedures, for example balloon dilatation following esophageal strictures to maintain oral intake and prevent malnutrition. RECENT FINDINGS: So far, no specific treatment is available for patients with any forms of epidermolysis bullosa. However, more and more minimal invasive surgical techniques are used to manage symptoms of the disease, for example endoscopic balloon dilatation for severe esophageal strictures. SUMMARY: In this article implications for the anesthetic management of children with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa are described. General anesthesia and sedation techniques are feasible if specific prerequisites are fulfilled. The team providing anesthesia and endoscopy must be familiar with the nature and disabilities of this disease. Coordinated care of the involved disciplines is crucial for all planned procedures regarding perioperative management.

Predictors of treatment outcome in children with medically unexplained pain seeking primary care: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Medically unexplained pain in children and adolescents is a common and increasing health care problem. Primary care is usually the first point of contact for these patients. It is the overall objective of this study to investigate treatment outcome of medically unexplained pain in paediatric primary care and to identify predictors of treatment failure. METHOD: In a prospective observational cohort study with three assessments over 6 months, N = 266 children (6-17 years) presenting to paediatric primary care due to medically unexplained pain were included. The primary outcome is treatment failure after 6 months defined as disabling chronic pain. Risk factors for treatment failure were identified by means of logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: At the 6-months follow-up, treatment proved unsuccessful in 22.6% of patients. In patients with headaches, high functional impairment and strong emotional pain burden at study inclusion, the risk for treatment failure was increased. However, when also including data on the initial treatment response, pain location and functional impairment were no longer significant. Patients who did not respond to treatment within the first 3 months were more likely to experience treatment failure (OR = 203.7 ; p < 0.001) at 6 months, as were children with a higher emotional pain burden at study inclusion (OR = 1.3; p = 0.007; R2  = 0.781). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that paediatric primary care is not sufficient for nearly one-quarter of the children with medically unexplained pain. Individuals without a positive treatment response after 3 months are at increased risk for treatment failure. SIGNIFICANCE: This study investigates the treatment outcome of medically unexplained pain in paediatric primary care. Individuals with a higher emotional pain burden at the first visit and those without positive treatment response after 3 months are at increased risk for treatment failure. Therefore, a stepped-care approach seems warranted. After an insufficient primary care trial of 3 months, patients should be transferred to pain specialists for a more intense treatment.

Dyspnea in Children with Life-Threatening and Life-Limiting Complex Chronic Conditions.

BACKGROUND: Dyspnea is one of the most frequent symptoms in children with complex chronic conditions (CCC) requiring palliative care. Although it is a subject of high importance, there has been little research on dyspnea in critically ill children. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the prevalence and causes of dyspnea in children with CCC and to identify the current state of research on the measurements, treatments, and the evaluation of therapeutic interventions. METHODS: A systematic literature search for relevant literature from 1990 until the present was performed using the online database PubMed. Information about prevalence, pathophysiological mechanisms, measurement, and treatment of dyspnea was extracted from all 43 eligible publications. RESULTS: The prevalence ranged widely from 17% to 80%. Breathlessness was primarily attributed to a disease-specific pathophysiology. A multidimensional approach has not been reported. Assessment of dyspnea included eight tools using either subjective self- or proxy-ratings or objective measures. Evidence for the effectiveness of various treatment approaches was low. DISCUSSION: The prevalence rates for dyspnea could be generalized across all conditions and patient subgroups. The biopsychosocial-spiritual approach was not addressed by the studies. There is a lack of an adequate and validated measurement tool that can be applied to children of various ages and diagnoses, communication ability, and practicable across different settings. Most found treatment approaches lacked good evidence in children. CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence rate of dyspnea in pediatric palliative care is high, it has been poorly studied.

S100A12 Is Associated with Response to Therapy in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Around one-third of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) fail to respond to first-line methotrexate (MTX) or anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy, with even fewer achieving ≥ American College of Rheumatology Pediatric 70% criteria for response (ACRpedi70), though individual responses cannot yet be accurately predicted. Because change in serum S100-protein myeloid-related protein complex 8/14 (MRP8/14) is associated with therapeutic response, we tested granulocyte-specific S100-protein S100A12 as a potential biomarker for treatment response. METHODS: S100A12 serum concentration was determined by ELISA in patients treated with MTX (n = 75) and anti-TNF (n = 88) at baseline and followup. Treatment response (≥ ACRpedi50 score), achievement of inactive disease, and improvement in Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS)-10 score were recorded. RESULTS: Baseline S100A12 concentration was measured in patients treated with anti-TNF [etanercept n = 81, adalimumab n = 7; median 200, interquartile range (IQR) 133-440 ng/ml] and MTX (median 220, IQR 100-440 ng/ml). Of the patients in the anti-TNF therapy group, 74 (84%) were also receiving MTX. Responders to MTX (n = 57/75) and anti-TNF (n = 66/88) therapy had higher baseline S100A12 concentration compared to nonresponders: median 240 (IQR 125-615) ng/ml versus 150 (IQR 87-233) ng/ml, p = 0.021 for MTX, and median 308 (IQR 150-624) ng/ml versus 151 (IQR 83-201) ng/ml, p = 0.002, for anti-TNF therapy. Followup S100A12 could be measured in 44/75 MTX-treated patients (34/44 responders) and 39/88 anti-TNF-treated patients (26/39 responders). Responders had significantly reduced S100A12 concentration (MTX: p = 0.031, anti-TNF: p < 0.001) at followup versus baseline. Baseline serum S100A12 in both univariate and multivariate regression models for anti-TNF therapy and univariate analysis alone for MTX therapy was significantly associated with change in JADAS-10. CONCLUSION: Responders to MTX or anti-TNF treatment can be identified by higher pretreatment S100A12 serum concentration levels.

Health Care Utilization and Cost in Children and Adolescents With Chronic Pain: Analysis of Health Care Claims Data 1 Year Before and After Intensive Interdisciplinary Pain Treatment.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze changes in health care utilization and cost among a sample of highly impaired children and adolescents who sought a 3-week intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment (IIPT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Claims data from 7 statutory health insurance companies were analyzed for 65 children and adolescents who sought IIPT at the German Paediatric Pain Centre. The annual health care utilization and cost were determined for the following 4 areas: outpatient care, inpatient care, medications, and remedies and aids. We analyzed the changes in resource utilization in the year before (pre_1 y) IIPT and in the subsequent year (post_1 y). RESULTS: Within the first year after IIPT, overall health care costs did not decrease significantly. However, the pattern of health care utilization changed. First, significantly more children and adolescents started outpatient psychotherapy (P=0.001). Second, the number of hospitalized children decreased significantly from 1-year pre to 1-year post (P=0.001). Accordingly, there were significantly fewer hospitalizations for primary chronic pain disorders at 1-year post (P<0.001). The prescription of nonopioids, co-analgesics and opioids was significantly reduced from 1-year pre to 1-year post (all P<0.013). DISCUSSION: The present results indicate that the health care costs of children and adolescents with severe chronic pain disorders do not significantly decrease 1 year after IIPT; however, the treatment becomes more goal-focused. Differential diagnosis measures and nonindicated therapeutic interventions decreased, and more indicated interventions, such as psychotherapy, were used. Future research is needed to investigate the economic long-term changes after IIPT.