Aerobic fitness in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) have lower physical fitness compared to healthy children, and to determine the clinical relevance of this impairment.


METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed using MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE and SPORTDiscus. The appropriate titles were identified and the data were extracted from these publications. The maximal oxygen consumption (VO2peak; in ml.kg-1.min-1) during a maximal exercise test until volitional exhaustion was used as the main outcome for this review.


RESULTS
Nine studies were identified in the literature. Data from 5 studies (144 patients) were pooled in a metaanalysis. The VO2peak of the patients with JIA was 21.8% (95% CI 13.7, 29.9) lower than that of healthy children (p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the metaanalysis suggest that children with JIA have moderate to heavy impairment in physical fitness as represented by maximal oxygen consumption compared to healthy children.
Takken
Tim
T
Department of Pediatric Physical Therapy, University Hospital for Children and Youth Het Wilhelmina Kinderziekenhuis, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Hemel
Arlette
A
van der Net
Janjaap
J
Helders
Paul J M
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D010809:Physical Fitness