RESEARCH - Survival for pediatric rheumatology patients better than previously reported

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Survival for Pediatric Rheumatology Patients Better Than Previously Reported

From Medscape Medical News

Laurie Barclay, MD

January 28, 2010 — Survival for pediatric rheumatology patients is

better than previously reported, according to the results of a study

reported online January 28 and published in the February issue of

Arthritis & Rheumatism.

" Approximately 3 in 1,000 children have a rheumatic condition, " write

Philip Hashkes, MD, MSc, and colleagues from the Cleveland Clinic in

Ohio. " There is a small but significant increase in mortality rates

among these patients. "

According to the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research

Alliance, childhood arthritis is the sixth most prevalent chronic

childhood disease and the leading cause of acquired disability in

children. In previous studies, children with juvenile rheumatoid

arthritis, childhood systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis,

various vasculitides, and systemic sclerosis have been shown to have a

small, yet significant reduction in survival, as well as increased

morbidity and disability and decreased quality of life.

However, these earlier mortality studies were limited by small sample

size, reliance on physician surveys, mortality reported only for

specific diseases, and follow-up of less than 10 years. In addition,

most of this research was performed before new and improved drug

treatments were available.

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Read the full article here:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/716063

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