Prognosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis: mortality and psychiatric morbidity among children, adolescents and young adults from a case-control study perspective
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
lecture hall 12, Oulu University Hospital
Topic of the dissertation
Prognosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis: mortality and psychiatric morbidity among children, adolescents and young adults from a case-control study perspective
Doctoral candidate
Licentiate of Medicine Minna Kyllönen
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Research Unit of Clinical Medicine
Subject of study
medicine
Opponent
docent Silja Kosola, University of Helsinki
Custos
docent Paula Vähäsalo , University of Oulu
Mortality and psychiatric morbidity among children, adolescents and young adults with JIA
During this millennium, the survival of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) has greatly improved. However, chronic illness such as JIA appears to have an impact on the psychosocial development and mental health of children and adolescents.
The aims of this thesis were to evaluate mortality, causes of death, mental and behavioral disorders and the use of psychotropic medications in patients with recent-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients compared to population matched for age, sex and residence (controls). The research material of this case-control study was selected from national registers.
To my knowledge, this is the first register-based study on the whole spectrum of mental and behavioural disorders and the use of psychotropic medication in patients with JIA. The relative risk of death in the JIA group was not elevated compared to controls. However, the risk of psychiatric morbidity was higher among the JIA patients than the controls, especially in females. The three most common disorders were anxiety disorders; mood disorders; and childhood behavioral and emotional disorders. In addition, the use of psychotropic medication, particularly antidepressants, was more common in patients with JIA compared to controls.
These results indicate that the mental health assessment must be taken into account in the treatment of JIA patients. In addition, there is the need for multiprofessional (rheumatologist, psychiatrist) collaboration in patient care.
The aims of this thesis were to evaluate mortality, causes of death, mental and behavioral disorders and the use of psychotropic medications in patients with recent-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients compared to population matched for age, sex and residence (controls). The research material of this case-control study was selected from national registers.
To my knowledge, this is the first register-based study on the whole spectrum of mental and behavioural disorders and the use of psychotropic medication in patients with JIA. The relative risk of death in the JIA group was not elevated compared to controls. However, the risk of psychiatric morbidity was higher among the JIA patients than the controls, especially in females. The three most common disorders were anxiety disorders; mood disorders; and childhood behavioral and emotional disorders. In addition, the use of psychotropic medication, particularly antidepressants, was more common in patients with JIA compared to controls.
These results indicate that the mental health assessment must be taken into account in the treatment of JIA patients. In addition, there is the need for multiprofessional (rheumatologist, psychiatrist) collaboration in patient care.
Last updated: 23.1.2024