Physical activity levels of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Abstract

Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) have lower levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and spend longer in sedentary activities than their peers. A study to assess the physical activity levels at a tertiary Irish centre was undertaken to compare children with JIA in Ireland against the international experience. Children with JIA completed a nine-item validated questionnaire, the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C). Pain, medication use and disease subtype were recorded. PAQ-C scores were compared against UK threshold values. Estimated %MVPA and time (min/day) were calculated using a published formula. Fifty-three children with JIA (33 female, 20 male, mean 11.4 years) completed the PAQ-C. Mean PAQ-C level was 2.7 for males and 2.4 for females. One-third of children met the threshold levels for being sufficiently active (normative values 2.9 males, 2.7 females). Using estimated %MVPA, one-third did not achieve 30 min of MVPA. There was no significant difference in PAQ-C levels between children with active disease (active joint count >1, self-reported visual analogue scale pain >1 and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate/C-reactive protein) and those without active markers. Using both the PAQ-C and estimated MVPA, only one-third of children with JIA met the recommended 60 min of daily MVPA. This needs to be validated against objective measures, e.g. accelerometers.

Keywords:

• Cross-sectional
• development
• health promotion
• pain
• PAQ-C
• rheumatology

Acknowledgements

We thank Catherine Simpson, Riain Casey, Megan Kennedy and Ann Monaghan for assisting with data collection.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The study received no financial support.