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Clinic of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, University Clinical Center Niš , Niš , Serbia
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis , Niš , Serbia
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis , Niš , Serbia
Clinic of Pediatrics, University Clinical Center Niš , Niš , Serbia
University Children`s Hospital, Belgrade , Belgrade , Serbia
Institute of Rheumatology, Belgrade , Belgrade , Serbia
Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis , Niš , Serbia
Clinic for Pediatric Surgery and Orthopedics, Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Clinical Center Niš , Niš , Serbia
University Children`s Hospital, Belgrade , Belgrade , Serbia
Introduction. The transition process to adulthood is a challenging but crucial period for the future well-being of patients with chronic diseases.
Objective. To evaluate whether specific clinical variables and disease activity status are associated with improved transition readiness among patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and their parents.
Methods. In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled JIA patients aged 12–18 years who attended two different pediatric outpatient clinics. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected, and disease activity was assessed using the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS-10 and JADAS-27). The Serbian version of the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ) was administered to all patients and their parents at a single time point.
Results. A total of 91 JIA patients (27 males, 64 females; median age 15.32 years, range 11.58–18 years) and their parents were enrolled. Our results demonstrated that increased patient age and use of biologic therapy, particularly etanercept, were significantly associated with higher TRAQ scores and improved transition readiness in both JIA patients (p < 0.001; p = 0.038) and their parents (p < 0.001; p = 0.035). Patient and parent TRAQ scores showed a strong positive correlation (ρ = 0.676, p < 0.001). No significant associations were found between other clinical variables (JIA subtype, gender, disease duration, extraarticular comorbidities, family history of autoimmune disease) or disease activity status and transition readiness.
Conclusion. Older patient age and the use of biologic therapy, particularly etanercept, are positively associated with transition readiness in both JIA patients and their parents.
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