The Role of Age in Delays to Rheumatological Care in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the relationship between age and symptom duration at initial presentation to pediatric rheumatology for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Methods. In children and young people (CYP) enrolled in the Childhood Arthritis Prospective Study prior to March 2018, an association between age at presentation (< 5, 5–11, and > 11 yrs) and symptom duration was tested by multivariable linear regression. Results. In 1577 CYP, 5- to 11-year-olds took 3.2 months longer and > 11-year-olds 6.9 months longer to reach pediatric rheumatology than < 5-year-olds. Conclusion. Adolescents take longer to reach pediatric rheumatology, potentially affecting their longer-term outcomes given the window of opportunity for JIA treatment.