Well-being in children with juvenile chronic arthritis

• OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe a model for predicting well-being in children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). METHODS: 125 children (43 boys) (median age 14.1 yrs; range 10.3-17.8) rated disability and discomfort (Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire). Pain control, pain reduction and fatigue were evaluated (visual analogue scales). In addition, variation of pain intensity was rated by a pain intensity scale. Analysis by the stepwise regression technique was used to explain the variability in well-being. Eight independent variables were included as possible predictors in the model (p < 0.1). RESULTS: The analyses indicated that well-being in children with JCA is related to three clusters of variables; pain "as it normally is", number of pain-free days and attending physical education classes. The analysis explained a substantial portion of the total variance in the children's well-being (55.1%). CONCLUSION: Pain is a robust predictor of well-being in children with JCA. This supports the concept of the benefits of reducing chronic joint pain as a major goal in caring of these children.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Pediatrik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Pediatrics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

juvenile chronic arthritis

children

well-being

adaptation

psychological

adolescent

arthritis

juvenile rheumatoid/physiopathology

juvenile rheumatoid/psychology

child

disability evaluation

female

health status

humans

male

pain/physiopathology

pain measurement

quality of life

questionnaires

sickness impact profile

Caring sciences

Vårdvetenskap

Adaptation

Psychological

Adolescent

Arthritis

Juvenile Rheumatoid/*physiopathology/psychology

Child

Disability Evaluation

Female

*Health Status

Humans

Male

Pain/physiopathology

Pain Measurement

*Quality of Life

Questionnaires

*Sickness Impact Profile

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)