Are the nutritional status and growth parameters of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis akin to their healthy peers? A single-center experience


AKGÜN Ö., ELİUZ TİPİCİ B., Kahraman I. G., Guliyeva V., DEMİRKAN F. G., TUĞRUL AKSAKAL M. Z., ...More

NUTRITION, vol.124, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 124
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.nut.2024.112439
  • Journal Name: NUTRITION
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objective: Proper nutrition is a significant contributor to growth achievement in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). In this study, the aim was to analyze the growth parameters and nutritional status of children with JIA and then compare them with their healthy peers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 54 patients with JIA and the same number of healthy peers. Growth parameter z -scores and nutrient distributions were analyzed and compared with a control group and among disease subgroups. Results: While the average height in the control group was significantly greater than in the patient group, there was similarity in terms of body weight and body mass index (BMI) ( P < 0.001, P = 0.33, P = 0.14, respectively). Body weight and BMI z -scores of patients with high disease activity at the most recent visit were significantly lower ( P = 0.03, P = 0.01, respectively). Both groups had similar energy and protein requirement -meeting percentages ( P = 0.62, P = 0.51). JIA atients had higher carbohydrate intake ( P = 0.04), and fat intake was higher in controls ( P = 0.02). Energy obtained from junk food was higher in patients with entesitis-related arthritis (ERA) compared to oligoarticular JIA and polyarticular JIA ( P = 0.03). Micronutrient intake in the ERA group was significantly lower for vitamin E, C, and folate ( P = 0.02, P = 0.03, P < 0.001). Conclusion: In our cohort, patients had a lower height score. As they have a diet characterized by adequate energy/protein, carbohydrate, and high fat intake, this may be a reflection of disease activity. Although some of the micronutrient intakes were less than normal in both groups, significant deficiencies were identified in the ERA group. (c) 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.