AB0738 JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS AND SCHOOLING

• Published in: Annals of the rheumatic diseases Vol. 80; no. Suppl 1; p. 1398
• Main Authors: Tantaoui, H., Nassar, K., Janani, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01.06.2021
• Subjects: Age; Arthralgia; Arthritis; Education; Inflammation; Integration; Rheumatology; Sex ratio; Spondyloarthropathy; Training
• ISSN: 0003-4967; 1468-2060
• DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.3276

Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) refers to all chronic inflammatory rheumatism in children without a recognized cause, onset before the age of 16. JIA is associated with significant short- and long-term disability, which influences the education and socio-professional integration of patients who suffers from it. Objectives: Evaluate the impact of JIA on the education and professional integration of affected patients. Methods: This is a retrospective, descriptive and cross-sectional study carried out in the rheumatology department. We included all patient followed in our JIA training. The following information was collected from a questionnaire survey: Educational attainment, main problems experienced during studies, cause of dropping school, and professional data. Results: Forty-two patients were included. The average age was 27.15 years old [18 - 61 years old]. Sex-Ratio (M / F) was 0.9. The forms of JIA were dominated by spondyloarthropathy (48.64%) and the seropositive polyarticular form (18.91%). The mean age of onset of JIA was 10.8 years [6 months - 16 years]. The mean duration of JIA progression was 14.4 years [4 - 27 years]. Regarding education, 2.94% were illiterate, 23.52% had a primary level, 55.87% a secondary level and 17.64% a higher level. The majority of patients (85%) experienced several problems during their studies: joint pain and stiffness (73.52%), absenteeism (50%), limitation in activities (26.47%), problem with adaptation and social integration (11.76%) and fatigue (5.88%). Only 2.94% of patients benefited from an individualized reception protocol apart from a sports exemption which represents 38.23%. 73.52% of patients received encouragement to continue their studies by those around them (parents, teachers and attending physicians). Discontinuation of schooling was observed in 70.58% of patients with 8.82% of patients dropping school before the onset of JIA and 61.76% of patients related to JIA. School studies were still ongoing in 23.52% of patients. Regarding the professional side, unemployment affects 52.94% of these patients and workers represent 23.52%. Conclusion: In our series, the level of education of JIA patients does not exceed secondary level in 80% of cases. The implementation of an individualized reception protocol is strongly recommended to facilitate the education of these patients and to fight against the main problems experienced. The professional integration of patients with JIA should also be adopted. Disclosure of Interests: None declared