TITLE:
Clinical Profile of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) in a Semi-Rural Ivorian Environment
AUTHORS:
Aissata Doucoure Traore, Joe-Clovis Yao, Kan Enock Joseph Koffi, Jean-Jacque Goua, Ehaulier Soh Christian Louis Kouakou, Felix Jean-Claude Daboiko
KEYWORDS:
JIA, Profile, Semi-Rural Environment, Côte d’Ivoire
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.14 No.6,
November
8,
2024
ABSTRACT: Objectives: To describe the clinical profile of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in a semi-rural Ivorian setting: the rheumatology department of the Bouaké University Hospital (CHU.B). Patients and methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study from January 2018 to December 2023 in the rheumatology department of the CHU.B. The study focused on the epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic data of children followed for JIA on the basis of the classification criteria of the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR). Excel 2019 software was used to analyse the data. Results: Over a 6-year period, JIA represented 0.29% (11/3780) of all rheumatological conditions and 1.40% (11/782) of childhood rheumatic diseases. The mean age of the children at diagnosis was 13.09 ± 3.01 years, and the mean age at onset of the disease was 8.54 years. There were 6 girls and 5 boys. Joint involvement was the main reason for consultation and hospitalisation, accounting for 81.81% (9) of cases. There was a family history in 3 children (27.3%). The clinical forms were as follows: systemic 27.27% (3), oligoarticular 27.27% (3), polyarticular with rheumatoid factor negative 27.27% (3), polyarticular with rheumatoid factor positive 9.09 (1), arthritis with enthesitis 9.09 (1). JIA was discovered at steinbrocker functional stages II and III. Treatment included NSAIDs 72.72% (8), corticosteroid therapy combined with methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine 54.54% (6) and rehabilitation 63.63% (7). Conclusion: JIA is a little-known disease in the semi-rural environment of Côte d’Ivoire. It is characterised by a long delay in diagnosis in relation to poverty and the lack of recourse to alternative medicine in our populations; hence, it is important to raise awareness of the condition among the population and practitioners. Multidisciplinary intervention would improve the diagnosis and management of children with JIA.