Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that may affect musculoskeletal development and posture in children. Spinal involvement, including scoliosis, is not routinely evaluated in clinical practice despite its potential impact on functional status and quality of life. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the presence of scoliosis in children with JIA and to investigate its association with functional status, postural alignment, and disease activity. Clinical and functional parameters will be analyzed to better understand the impact of spinal deformities in this population.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that may negatively affect musculoskeletal development, posture, and overall physical function in children. Although peripheral joint involvement is well characterized, axial and postural abnormalities, including scoliosis, are not routinely assessed during follow-up despite their potential clinical significance. This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the presence of scoliosis in children with JIA and to investigate its relationship with disease activity, functional status, pain, and postural alignment. Comprehensive clinical assessments, including physical examination, disease activity scores, and functional evaluation tools, will be performed. Where applicable, postural analysis and imaging findings will also be considered. By identifying the frequency and clinical impact of scoliosis in JIA, this study seeks to improve awareness of spinal involvement and to provide a basis for early recognition and multidisciplinary management strategies, including targeted physiotherapy interventions.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
200
Prevalence of Scoliosis in Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Proportion of participants with scoliosis, defined as a Cobb angle ≥10° measured on standing spinal radiographs.
Time frame: At baseline (single study visit)
Scoliosis Severity (Cobb Angle)
Cobb angle (degrees) measured on standing spinal radiographs. Scoliosis defined as Cobb angle ≥10°.
Time frame: At baseline (single study visit)
Health-Related Quality of Life (PedsQL)
Health-related quality of life assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) total score (and physical and psychosocial subscale scores, if available). Scores are transformed to a 0-100 scale (range: 0-100), with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life.
Time frame: At baseline (single study visit)
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