CLINICAL PREDICTORS OF LOW BONE MINERAL DENSITY IN CHILDREN WITH JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS

The aim of this study was to assess the role of simple clinical and laboratorial markers for prediction of low bone mineral density (LBMD < -2 SD) in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Low weight and linear growth (<10% and 25%), BMI < 16.6, MD VAS > 5.0, DAS > 2.9, DAS28 > 4.2, JADAS 10 > 15.6, JADAS 27 > 15.1, CDAI > 18.1, Steinbrocker's functional class > 2, systemic arthritis, corticosteroid treatment, arthritis duration > 4.5 years, number of active joints > 5, number of painful joints > 9, morning stiffness > 90 minutes, parental overall JIA activity (VAS) > 5.8, ESR > 16 mm/h, CRP > 22.6 mg/l were associated with increased risk of LBMD in JIA children. Among metabolic markers Ca total < 2.42 mmol/l and Pi > 1.59 mmol/l also increased the possibility of LBMD. Our data can help to identify the JIA patients at risk for LBMD and to suggest the indications for densitometry evaluation of JIA children