Long-term outcomes of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: Data on the long-term outcome of patients with childhood-onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (cSLE) are scarce. Aims of this study were to describe the long-term outcomes of cSLE and to identify factors associated with the development of damage and persistent disease activity. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective multicentre study using data from the PEDIALUP registry of the Juvenile Inflammatory Rheumatism (JIR) cohort database. Demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory, radiological, histological and treatment data were collected from medical records during follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 138 patients with cSLE, diagnosed between 1971 and 2015, were included. With a median follow-up of 15.4 [9.6-22.4] years, 51% of patients had a SLICC-Damage Index score ≥ 1 at last follow-up with the musculoskeletal, cutaneous, renal, neurological, and cardiovascular damage being the most common manifestations. The proportion of patients with a SLICC-DI score ≥ 1 increased significantly with the duration of the follow-up (p< 0.001). On multivariate analysis, duration of follow-up was associated with increased risk of cumulative damage (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01, 1.15, p= 0.035). At the last visit, 34% of patients still had active disease with a SLEDAI score of ≥ 6. On multivariate analysis, Sub-Saharan African ethnicity was associated with 7-fold increased odds of having active disease at the last visit compared with Caucasians (OR 7.44, 95% CI 2.24, 24.74, p= 0.0002). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of damage remains high in patients with cSLE even when the diagnosis of c-SLE has been made in the recent decades.

Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome: a series of 136 patients from the Eurofever Registry.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate genetic, demographic and clinical features in patients with cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) from the Eurofever Registry, with a focus on genotype-phenotype correlations and predictive disease severity markers. METHODS: A web-based registry retrospectively collected data on patients with CAPS. Experts in the disease independently validated all cases. Patients carrying NLRP3 variants and germline-mutation-negative patients were included. RESULTS: 136 patients were analysed. The median age at disease onset was 9 months, and the median duration of follow-up was 15 years. Skin rash, musculoskeletal involvement and fever were the most prevalent features. Neurological involvement (including severe complications) was noted in 40% and 12% of the patients, respectively, with ophthalmological involvement in 71%, and neurosensory hearing loss in 42%. 133 patients carried a heterozygous, germline mutation, and 3 patients were mutation-negative (despite complete NLRP3 gene screening). Thirty-one different NLRP3 mutations were recorded; 7 accounted for 78% of the patients, whereas 24 rare variants were found in 27 cases. The latter were significantly associated with early disease onset, neurological complications (including severe complications) and severe musculoskeletal involvement. The T348M variant was associated with early disease onset, chronic course and hearing loss. Neurological involvement was less strongly associated with V198M, E311 K and A439 V alleles. Early onset was predictive of severe neurological complications and hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS: Patients carrying rare NLRP3 variants are at risk of severe CAPS; onset before the age of 6 months is associated with more severe neurological involvement and hearing loss. These findings may have an impact on treatment decisions.

French recommendations for the management of non-infectious chronic uveitis.

This French National Diagnostic and Care Protocol (NDPC) includes both pediatric and adult patients with non-infectious chronic uveitis (NICU) or non-infectious recurrent uveitis (NIRU). NICU is defined as uveitis that persists for at least 3 months or with frequent relapses occurring less than 3 months after cessation of treatment. NIRU is repeated episodes of uveitis separated by periods of inactivity of at least 3 months in the absence of treatment. Some of these NICU and NIRU are isolated. Others are associated with diseases that may affect various organs, such as uveitis associated with certain types of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, adult spondyloarthropathies or systemic diseases in children and adults such as Behçet's disease, granulomatoses or multiple sclerosis. The differential diagnoses of pseudo-uveitis, sometimes related to neoplasia, and uveitis of infectious origin are discussed, as well as the different forms of uveitis according to their main anatomical location (anterior, intermediate, posterior or panuveitis). We also describe the symptoms, known physiopathological mechanisms, useful complementary ophthalmological and extra-ophthalmological examinations, therapeutic management, monitoring and useful information on the risks associated with the disease or treatment. Finally, this protocol presents more general information on the care pathway, the professionals involved, patient associations, adaptations in the school or professional environment and other measures that may be implemented to manage the repercussions of these chronic diseases. Because local or systemic corticosteroids are usually necessary, these treatments and the risks associated with their prolonged use are the subject of particular attention and specific recommendations. The same information is provided for systemic immunomodulatory treatments, immunosuppressive drugs, sometimes including anti-TNFα antibodies or other biotherapies. Certain particularly important recommendations for patient management are highlighted in summary tables.

Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis in French Afro-Caribbean children, a retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: The epidemiology and clinical presentation of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) in the Afro-Caribbean population is not well described. METHODS: Retrospective study conducted between January 2000 and January 2022 in the French Overseas Departments of America. Clinical data were obtained from multiple sources: computerized hospital archives, registries of referring pediatricians, and the French National Registry for rare diseases. The disease studied was sJIA defined according to international criteria. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were identified. Mean age at diagnosis was 7.5 years (range: 1.2-14.9 years) and mean duration of follow-up was 5.2 years (range: 0.5-16 years). All patients had joint involvement at diagnosis with 68% presenting inflammatory arthritis and 32% inflammatory joint pain. Sixteen percent had coronary involvement at onset. More than half (52%) suffered from macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) during childhood (32% at onset). The mean number of flares in childhood was 2 (Range: 1-5). Sixty-eight percent of patients had disease control during childhood without biotherapy. The most frequent second line treatment was anakinra (7/8). There was no difference in clinical or biological severity according to gender. The median duration of treatment during childhood was 5 months (range: 2-144) and 72% had a cumulative treatment duration of less than one year. CONCLUSION: These patients of Afro-Caribbean origin suffering from sJIA showed some specificities, such as a higher rate of MAS and coronary involvement at onset. The incidence per year was stable over a 20-year period. Overall outcomes during childhood were similar to western countries.

Hyperzincemia and hypercalprotectinemia: unsuccessful treatment with tacrolimus.

UNLABELLED: We report on a 5-year-old boy with hyperzincemia and hypercalprotectinemia. Treatment began with Tacrolimus at the age of 4 years and 6 months. Despite an initial correction of clinical and biological symptoms, zincemia and calprotectinemia progressively worsened with secondary reappearance of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Tacrolimus seems to have a transient effect in the treatment of Hyperzincemia and hyperprolactinemia.

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (anakinra) treatment in patients with systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis or adult onset Still disease: preliminary experience in France.

BACKGROUND: Anakinra treatment has been reported to be effective in some patients with systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SoJIA) or adult-onset Still disease (AoSD). OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and the safety of anakinra treatment in SoJIA and AoSD. METHODS: SoJIA and AoSD patients were treated with anakinra (1-2 mg/kg/day in children, 100 mg/day in adults); we analysed its effect on fever, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, numbers of swollen and tender joints, the assessment of disease activity (by physician and parent/patient) and pain (by parent/patient), and American College of Rheumatology (ACR) pediatric core set criteria for JIA activity. RESULTS: A total of 35 patients were included, 20 with SoJIA and 15 with AoSD. Their mean age (range) at the onset of treatment was 12.4 (3-23) and 38.1 (22-62) years, respectively; disease duration was 7.0 (1-16) and 7.8 (2-27) years, respectively. Active arthritis was present in all cases but one. Of the 20 SoJIA patients, 5 achieved ACR 50% improvement in symptoms (ACR50) response criteria at 6 months. Steroid dose had been decreased by 15% to 78% in 10 cases. A total of 11 of the 15 AoSD patients achieved at least a 50% improvement for all disease markers (mean follow-up: 17.5 (11-27) months). Steroids had been stopped in two cases and the dose was decreased by 45% to 95% in 12 patients. Two patients stopped anakinra due to severe skin reaction, and two patients due to infection: one visceral leishmaniasis and one varicella. CONCLUSION: Anakinra was effective in most AoSD patients, but less than half SoJIA patients achieved a marked and sustained improvement.

Clinical outcome in children with chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical outcome of children with chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical, biological and radiological data of children with CRMO at five French paediatric centres. Outcome data were obtained through review of hospital charts and questionnaires sent to all patients to assess disease activity and educational and vocational achievement. RESULTS: Forty patients were assessed (34 females and 6 males) with a median age at diagnosis of 11.5 yrs (range 2-17). Median number of initial bony lesions was 2 at onset, and 3.5 over disease course. Median time since diagnosis was 3.5 yrs (range 0.5-15) and median duration of active disease 2.7 yrs (range 0.5-13.5). Nine (22.5%) patients had psychological or physical sequelae. Twenty-nine children (72.5%) responded to the questionnaire. Twenty-six had no physical disability as judged by the HAQ 0-1, two had moderate disability (HAQ: 1-2) and one had severe disability (HAQ: 2-3). Seventeen patients (58.6%) had active disease at follow-up (after 6 months to 15 yrs since diagnosis) and continued to have pain (median value of visual analogue scale: 10/100). CRMO had interfered with patient's education in two cases. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical outcome of children with CRMO is generally good, but a sizeable proportion of patients have active disease at follow-up, and a minority of patients can have a severe and prolonged disease course despite intensive treatments. Further studies are required to determine predictive factors for severe disease.

[Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes]. / Cryopyrinopathies.

Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS) are linked to one single gene mutations, however they are associated with 3 syndromes, which are, from the mildest to the most severe phenotype familial cold urticaria, Muckle-Wells syndrome and chronic, infantile, neurologic, cutaneous, articular (CINCA) syndrome also called neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID). Autosomic dominant inheritance is present in most cases but in CINCA/NOMID syndrome where neomutations are more common. Mutations in the gene encoding cryopyrin, NLRP3, are associated with deregulation of caspase-1 activity, excessive interleukin-1 production and an autoinflammatory syndrome, which in familial cold urticaria and Muckle-Wells syndrome may be triggered or worsened by exposure to coldness. More and more mutations are described and even somatic mutations that can explain some clinical signs beginning in adulthood. Patients disclose a pseudo-urticarial rash, arthralgia, headaches, sometimes fever, biological inflammation but also, in severe forms of the disease, neurologic inflammation with central deafness, ophthalmologic inflammation, chronic meningitis. Some CINCA/NOMID patients also develop growth cartilage pseudo-tumoral hypertrophy. Natural disease history is usually benign in familial cold urticarial but severe in the other forms, particularly regarding neuro-sensorial involvement. In addition, secondary AA amyloidosis may develop in all forms in the absence of control of chronic inflammation. Anti-interleukin-1 treatment with anakinra, rilonacept or canakinumab induces in most cases complete remission, however sequelae may be present, particularly if central deafness or cartilage bone hypertrophy have already developed. This treatment is also important to prevent secondary amyloidosis or stabilize and even sometimes allow improvement of amyloidosis lesions.

[Clinical overview of auto-inflammatory diseases]. / Panorama des maladies auto-inflammatoires.

Monogenic auto-inflammatory diseases are characterized by genetic abnormalities coding for proteins involved in innate immunity. They were initially described in mirror with auto-immune diseases because of the absence of circulating autoantibodies. Their main feature is the presence of peripheral blood inflammation in crisis without infection. The best-known auto-inflammatory diseases are mediated by interleukines that consisted in the 4 following diseases familial Mediterranean fever, cryopyrinopathies, TNFRSF1A-related intermittent fever, and mevalonate kinase deficiency. Since 10 years, many other diseases have been discovered, especially thanks to the progress in genetics. In this review, we propose the actual panorama of the main known auto-inflammatory diseases. Some of them are recurrent fevers with crisis and remission; some others evaluate more chronically; some are associated with immunodeficiency. From a physiopathological point of view, we can separate diseases mediated by interleukine-1 and diseases mediated by interferon. Then some polygenic inflammatory diseases will be shortly described: Still disease, Schnitzler syndrome, aseptic abscesses syndrome. The diagnosis of auto-inflammatory disease is largely based on anamnesis, the presence of peripheral inflammation during attacks and genetic analysis, which are more and more performant.

[Therapeutic strategy for the treatment of non-infectious uveitis proposed by an expert panel]. / Avis d'experts pour le traitement des uvéites non infectieuses.

Conventional immunosuppressive drugs, anti-TNF alpha and other biotherapies used in clinical practice are capable of controlling non-infectious anterior uveitis, posterior uveitis and panuveitis. The present work has been led by a multidisciplinary panel of experts, internists, rheumatologists and ophthalmologists and is based on a review of the literature. In case of corticodependency or sight-threatening disease, conventional immunosuppressive drugs (methotrexate, azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil) and/or anti-TNF alpha (adalimumab, infliximab) are used to achieve and maintain remission. Interferon is an efficient immunomodulatory treatment, as a second-line therapy, for some therapeutic indications (refractory macular edema, Behçet's vascularitis). Other biologics, especially tocilizumab, are showing promising results. Local treatments (corticosteroids, sirolimus etc.) are adjuvant therapies in case of unilateral inflammatory relapse. Therapeutic response must be evaluated precisely by clinical examination and repeated complementary investigations (laser flare photometry, multimodal imaging, perimetry, electroretinography measures).

Probable DRESS syndrome induced by IL-1 inhibitors.

Interleukin (IL)-1 inhibitors have been increasingly used for treating autoinflammatory diseases during the last 10 years, but the spectrum of their possible side effects is not yet fully known. Here, we bring physicians' attention to a new severe complication of IL-1 inhibitors, manifesting as a probable drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) in two patients.

Real-World Experience and Impact of Canakinumab in Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndrome: Results From a French Observational Study.

OBJECTIVE: The ENVOL study was designed to assess the psychosocial impact of disease and therapy in a French cohort of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS) patients (and caregivers) treated with canakinumab. METHODS: The ENVOL study was a multicenter, observational study of CAPS patients given ≥1 canakinumab dose. Data were collected before treatment, at 6 and 12 months afterward, and at the last visit. Patients and caregivers completed questionnaires assessing changes from the 12 months of pretreatment to 12 months prior to interview. Data were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The study included 10 physicians and 68 patients (53 adults, 15 children). Sixty-five patients (95.6%) were still receiving canakinumab at the last visit (median 5 years after starting therapy). The mean ± SD score for patient-reported general health increased from 7 ± 2.9 before canakinumab to 2.7 ± 2.7 after treatment (P < 0.001). Physical and emotional symptoms resolved or improved in a substantial proportion of patients, including bodily pain (38 of 46 patients), fever (32 of 39), skin disease (35 of 41), fatigue (31 of 47), self-confidence (29 of 46), and energy (34 of 47). Social activity, relationships, sexuality, and energy measures improved in >40% of respondents. Caregivers spent a median of 3 versus 0.5 hours/week on care in the 12 months of pretreatment versus 12 months prior to interview (P < 0.001). Following treatment, patients required fewer consultations with general practitioners (mean ± SD per patient per year: 5.2 ± 7.4 versus 8.5 ± 7.2 pretreatment), internists/rheumatologists/dermatologists (2.0 ± 2.1 versus 3.7 ± 3.9), and pediatricians (1.8 ± 1.5 versus 4.4 ± 4.2). CONCLUSION: Long-term treatment with canakinumab achieves a highly relevant improvement in the physical, emotional, and social lives of patients with CAPS, accompanied by a marked reduction in support required from caregivers and in health care consultations.

ADA2 deficiency: case report of a new phenotype and novel mutation in two sisters.

The objective of this paper is to: describe the phenotype compound heterozygote for mutations in CECR1 in two children. We describe the clinical and immunological phenotype, including the assessment of ADA2 activity, cytokine expression, interferon-stimulated and neutrophil-stimulated gene signatures, and the results of CECR1 sequencing. The first patient presented with intermittent fever, cutaneous vasculitis, myalgia and muscle inflammation on MRI leading to a provisional diagnosis of periarteritis nodosa. Subsequently, two cerebral lacunar lesions were identified following a brain stroke. Clinical features improved on anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy. The first patient's sister demonstrated early-onset, long-lasting anaemia with mild biological inflammation; at the ages of 3 and 5 years, she had presented 2 acute, transient neurological events with lacunar lesions on MRI. CECR1 sequencing identified both sisters to be compound heterozygous for a p.Tyr453Cys mutation and a previously undescribed deletion of exon 7. ADA2 activity was reduced by 50%. Neutrophil-stimulated genes were not overexpressed, but interferon-stimulated genes were. The expression of a panel of other cytokine transcripts was not significantly altered. In conclusion, searching for CECR1 mutation or assessing ADA2 activity should be considered in patients with an atypical presentation of inflammatory disease.

Biological treatment in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis: achievement of inactive disease or clinical remission on a first, second or third biological agent.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the effect of biological agents (BAs) in terms of achieving inactive disease (ID) or clinical remission (CR) in patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA), to describe effects of switching or discontinuing a BA and to assess the proportion of patients able to maintain ID or CR off steroids and after withdrawing BA therapy. METHODS: Retrospective study in a French paediatric rheumatology reference centre using the CEMARA (CEntre des MAladies RAres) register. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were included with a cumulative follow-up of 245.5 patient-years (median 1.1, range 0.5-8.0). On a first BA, ID was achieved in 37 patients, including 1 patient out of 12 patients on etanercept, 26 patients out of 51 on anakinra and 7 out of 10 on canakinumab. One patient on abatacept and two patients on tocilizumab also achieved ID. Switching of BA was common. The switch to a second (n=34), third (n=18) or fourth (n=4) BA resulted in ID in a further 13 patients, either on canakinumab (n=6) or tocilizumab (n=7). At last follow-up, 40 patients were in CR (27 patients off steroids, 5 patients having never received steroid treatment), either on (n=29) or off (n=11) BA. CONCLUSIONS: In this series of patients with SJIA, interleukin-1 inhibitors were associated with a higher proportion of ID than tumour necrosis factor inhibitors when used as first BA. Switching allowed some patients to achieve ID when treated with canakinumab or tocilizumab. CR was eventually achieved in more than half of the patients.

Evidence-based diagnosis and treatment of macrophage activation syndrome in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a severe and potentially lethal complication of several inflammatory diseases but seems particularly linked to systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA). Standardized diagnostic and treatment guidelines for MAS in sJIA are currently lacking. The aim of this systematic literature review was to evaluate currently available literature on diagnostic criteria for MAS in sJIA and provide an overview of possible biomarkers for diagnosis, disease activity and treatment response and recent advances in treatment. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane. 495 papers were identified. Potentially relevant papers were selected by 3 authors after which full text screening was performed. All selected papers were evaluated by at least two independent experts for validity and level of evidence according to EULAR guidelines. RESULTS: 27 papers were included: 7 on diagnosis, 9 on biomarkers and 11 on treatment. Systematic review of the literature confirmed that there are no validated diagnostic criteria for MAS in sJIA. The preliminary Ravelli criteria, with the addition of ferritin, performed well in a large retrospective case-control study. Recently, an international consortium lead by PRINTO proposed a new set of diagnostic criteria able to distinguish MAS from active sJIA and/or infection with superior performance. Other promising diagnostic biomarkers potentially distinguish MAS complicating sJIA from primary and virus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. The highest level of evidence for treatment comes from case-series. High dose corticosteroids with or without cyclosporine A were frequently reported as first-line therapy. From the newer treatment modalities, promising responses have been reported with anakinra. CONCLUSION: MAS in sJIA seems to be diagnosed best by the recently proposed PRINTO criteria, although prospective validation is needed. Novel promising biomarkers for sJIA related MAS are in need of prospective validation as well, and are not widely available yet. Currently, treatment of MAS in sJIA relies more on experience than evidence based medicine. Taking into account the severity of MAS and the scarcity of evidence, early expert consultation is recommended as soon as MAS is suspected.

A large national cohort of French patients with chronic recurrent multifocal osteitis.

OBJECTIVE: To document more fully the characteristics of chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) in pediatric patients, to collect data on the outcomes and management of the disease, and to define prognostic factors. METHODS: One hundred seventy-eight patients were included (123 female patients and 55 male patients), with a mean ± SD age at diagnosis of 10.9 ± 2.9 years. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of CRMO, evidence of at least one lesion of osteitis confirmed by imaging, and development of the syndrome before age 18 years. RESULTS: Longitudinal clinical and imaging studies revealed that only 12 of 178 CRMO patients (7%) had unifocal lesions at the last medical visit. We were able to apply the clinical chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis score to 110 of 178 patients (62%), which indicated that bone biopsy could have been avoided in 27 cases (25%). At the last medical visit, disease was in remission in only 73 of 171 patients (43%) (41% receiving therapy) after a mean ± SD of 47.9 ± 38.9 months; 44 of 171 patients (26%) experienced sequelae. Using cluster analysis, the CRMO cohort was separated into 3 homogeneous phenotypes (severe, mild, and intermediate). Patients with the severe phenotype had the worst prognosis. This group was entirely composed of male patients, most of whom had the multifocal form of CRMO and inflammatory syndrome. Patients with the mild phenotype had the best prognosis. This group was primarily composed of female patients with a unifocal form of CRMO and infrequent clavicle involvement and inflammatory syndrome. Patients with the intermediate phenotype had a good prognosis but greater reliance on treatment. This group primarily included female patients with multifocal lesions and inflammatory syndrome. CONCLUSION: This is the largest CRMO cohort described in the literature to date. Clinical evolution and imaging investigations confirmed the multifocal pattern of the disease. Three distinct subgroups of CRMO patients were distinguished, with very different prognoses.

Tolerance of efavirenz in children.

OBJECTIVE: To extend the limited knowledge of efavirenz tolerance in children. METHOD: An observational study of 33 children given efavirenz combined with various others agents and followed in a single institution. RESULTS: Fifteen (42%) of the children presented at least one clinically discernable side effect, cutaneous (n = 5), nervous system (n = 10), or both (n = 2). Intolerance led to treatment interruption in seven children but the main symptom was transitory dizziness or other signs similar to those observed in adults. CONCLUSION: Early, often transient nervous system side effects require careful preparation with the child and his family to avoid premature and inadequate withdrawal from treatment.

Comparative tolerability of treatments for juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) includes several forms of chronic arthritis in children. Treatments are chosen according to the type and severity of the disease. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids remain the mainstays of therapy. Traditional slower acting anti-rheumatic drugs, such as gold therapy, penicillamine, sulfasalazine, tiopronin and hydroxychloroquine, are usually poorly active in children. In addition, adverse effects are common, including severe macrophage activation syndrome with gold therapy or sulfasalazine. Low dose, once weekly methotrexate has emerged as the therapeutic agent of choice for children who fail to respond adequately to the administration of an NSAID, especially in those with the extended oligoarticular subtype of the disease. Other immunosuppressive agents, such as cyclosporin, are sometimes combined with methotrexate. In recent years, novel treatments have been developed. Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is effective in a number of children with severe JIA, whose disease has been refractory to conventional therapy. However, only short term follow-up data are currently available for this novel therapy. In addition, severe infections complicated by macrophage activation syndrome and death have been reported. Finally, anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha therapy has shown efficacy in more than two-thirds of children with JIA and polyarthritis, and other cytokine inhibitors may be soon available.

The French version of the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) and the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ).

We report the results of the cross-cultural adaptation and validation into the French language of two health status instruments. The Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) is a disease specific instrument that measures functional ability in daily living activities in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) is a generic health related quality of life instrument designed to capture the physical and psychosocial well-being of children independently from the underlying disease. Five hundred children were enrolled including 306 patients with JIA classified into systemic (23%), polyarticular (22%), extended oligoarticular (25%), and persistent oligoarticular (30%) subtypes, and 194 healthy children. Both instruments were reliable with intra-class correlation (ICC) coefficients for the test-retest procedure of 0.91 for the CHAQ, and 0.87 and 0.89 for the physical and psychosocial summary scores of CHQ, respectively. Agreement between parents and children evaluated for the CHAQ was high with an ICC of 0.89 for the disability index; weighted kappa coefficients for the 8 domains ranged from 0.61 to 0.72. Convergent validity was demonstrated by significant correlations with the JIA core set of variables (physician and parent global assessment, scores for active joints and joints with limited range of motion, erythrocyte sedimentation rate) for both instruments. Both CHAQ and CHQ discriminated between healthy and JIA children, but only the disease specific CHAQ questionnaire discriminated clearly between the 4 JIA subtypes. In conclusion, the French versions of the CHAQ and the CHQ are reliable, and valid health assessment questionnaires to be used in children suffering from JIA.