Prevalence and distribution of juvenile idiopathic arthritis in a region of Western France

Abstract Objective To determine the prevalence and distribution of the various forms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in the Poitou-Charentes region of Western France. Methods We surveyed all the practicing rheumatologists and pediatricians in the study region for cases of JIA meeting ILAR criteria seen in 2006 among the population of 305,198 children younger than 16 years of age who resided in the study region. The survey was conducted by means of a questionnaire followed by a phone call. Cases of JIA identified by the survey were reviewed retrospectively. Results We identified 48 children with JIA, which yielded a prevalence of 15.7/100,000. Mean age at diagnosis was 6.6 years (range, 1–15 years). Oligoarticular disease was the most common pattern, with 20 (41.6%) patients, a mean age of 4.9 years at diagnosis, and 80% of females. Oligoarticular disease was associated with the best outcomes, and only two (2/20, 10%) patients in this subgroup required disease-modifying therapy. Enthesitis-related arthritis contributed eight (16.6%) patients, with a mean age at diagnosis of 10.7 years and 75% of males. There were nine patients with polyarticular disease and seven with systemic disease; disease severity was greatest in these 16 patients, of whom only two were not taking disease-modifying drugs or glucocorticoids. Conclusion The prevalence of JIA in Poitou-Charentes was similar to the prevalences reported in other regions of France.