Outcome in adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Comparison of the DUTCH-AIMS2 between JIA and RA

OBJECTIVES: To compare outcome in adult patients with JIA in childhood with outcome in young adults with RA and to evaluate the use of the DUTCH-AIMS2 in adult JIA patients METHODS: A questionnaire containing the DUTCH-AIMS2 to assess health outcomes (answers ranging from 0-10: 0=best) was sent to 142 adults with JIA (18-40 years). These health outcomes were compared with those of 34 young RA patients (< or = 40 years) from former studies. The DUTCH-AIMS2 was tested for its reliability and validity in adult JIA patients. RESULTS: The response rate was 71%. Disease duration of JIA patients (mean 19.2+/-9.5 years) was longer than in young RA patients (mean 7.8+/-5.3 years). RA patients scored worse than JIA patients in all health status areas with the exception of mobility. The mean health outcome scores were low for all groups (< or = 4.80). The internal consistency and the validity of the DUTCH-AIMS2 were satisfactory. CONLUSIONS: Overall, the health outcome of oligoarticular and polyarticular adult JIA and young RA patients was quite good. The DUTCH-AIMS2 can be used as an instrument in outcome studies in JIA patients.