Distinct phenotypes of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a severe disease with an unpredictable course and a substantial risk of cardiogenic shock. Our objectives were to (a) compare MIS-C phenotypes across the COVID-19 pandemic, (b) identify features associated with intensive care need and treatment with biologic agents. METHODS: Youth aged 0-18 years, fulfilling the World Health Organization case definition of MIS-C, and admitted to the Alberta Children's Hospital during the first four waves of the COVID-19 pandemic (May 2020-December 2021) were included in this cohort study. Demographic, clinical, biochemical, imaging, and treatment data were captured. RESULTS: Fifty-seven MIS-C patients (median age 6 years, range 0-17) were included. Thirty patients (53%) required intensive care. Patients in the third or fourth wave (indicated as phase 2 of the pandemic) presented with higher peak ferritin (µg/l, median (IQR) = 1134 (409-1806) vs. 370 (249-629), P = 0.001), NT-proBNP (ng/l, median (IQR) = 12,217 (3013-27,161) vs. 3213 (1216-8483), P = 0.02) and D-dimer (mg/l, median (IQR) = 4.81 (2.24-5.37) vs. 2.01 (1.27-3.34), P = 0.004) levels, and higher prevalence of liver enzyme abnormalities (n(%) = 17 (68) vs. 11 (34), P = 0.02), hypoalbuminemia (n(%) = 24 (100) vs. 25 (81), P = 0.03) and thrombocytopenia (n(%) 18 (72) vs. 11 (34), P = 0.007) compared to patients in the first two waves (phase 1). These patients had a higher need of non-invasive/mechanical ventilation (n(%) 4 (16) vs. 0 (0), P = 0.03). Unsupervised clustering analyses classified 47% of the patients in the correct wave and 74% in the correct phase of the pandemic. NT-proBNP was the only significant contributor to the need for intensive care in all applied multivariate regression models. Treatment with biologic agents was significantly associated with peak CRP (mg/l (median, IQR = 240.9 (132.9-319.4) vs. 155.8 (101.0-200.7), P = 0.02) and ferritin levels (µg/l, median (IQR) = 1380 (509-1753) vs. 473 (280-296)). CONCLUSIONS: MIS-C patients in a later stage of the pandemic displayed a more severe phenotype, reflecting the impact of distinct SARS-CoV-2 variants. NT-proBNP emerged as the most crucial feature associated with intensive care need, underscoring the importance of monitoring.

Predictors of family impact of juvenile localized scleroderma.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the impact juvenile localized scleroderma (jLS) has on family quality of life and to identify predictors of family impact in this population which may inform the development of tailored resources to enhance family functioning for patients with jLS. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients with jLS and their families was conducted. Five questionnaires were administered at each visit: Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Family Impact Module (PedsQL-FIM), PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales (PedsQL-Generic), PedsQL Rheumatology Module (PedsQL-RM), Child Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ), and Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI). Linear mixed models with random intercepts for each patient were used to find relationships between family impact scores and clinically relevant variables over time. Variables of interest included disease activity status, methotrexate use, jLS distribution, and scores for PedsQL-Generic and PedsQL-RM. RESULTS: The median baseline PedsQL-FIM total score was 80.9 (IQR = 76.6-97.4). Adjusting for age and sex, the most significant predictors of family impact were PedsQL-Generic scores and four of five PedsQL-RM dimensions (all P < .001); methotrexate use had borderline significance (P = .06). Family impact increased more significantly over time in older patients. In multivariable modeling, PedsQL-Generic total score and jLS "other" distribution were significant for predicting an increased PedsQL-FIM score (P = .003 and P = .03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: JLS has a moderate family impact. Family impact is predicted by patients' general and disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQL) and their jLS subtype. There is a trend toward increased family impact with methotrexate treatment. This study emphasizes the importance of family-centered care in jLS.

Patient-Reported Barriers at School for Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify patient-reported school barriers and their associated impact in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study of children aged 8 to 17, diagnosed with JIA, and followed in the rheumatology clinic/Alberta Children's Hospital was performed. Demographics, diagnosis, and disease course were obtained from health records. A questionnaire was administered to the child to assess the barriers experienced by JIA patients at school. The questionnaire collected information about school attendance/performance, impact of JIA symptoms (eg, pain and fatigue), physical challenges and accommodations, communication, participation and peers, and school support. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: A total of 98 children with JIA were recruited into the study. The median age of participants was 13 years (interquartile range 11-15). The JIA subtypes in this cohort reflected the normal JIA distribution. Physical challenges at school (eg, gym, writing, and sitting for long periods of time) were reported by 42.1% of patients. Accommodations (eg, modified gym, accommodation letter, and computer access) were used by 23% of patients. The inability to participate in activities in class or outside with their peers occurred for 32.2% of patients and in gym for 40.7% of patients. Social concerns included embarrassment from talking about their illness, worry regarding being treated differently, and being told they were fabricating their illness. CONCLUSION: Children with JIA experienced barriers at school, especially physical challenges, with a need for accommodations in a proportion of children. Decreased participation and increased social anxiety were additional key barriers.