title: The impact on health-related quality of life from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, methotrexate, or steroids in treatment for juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess and compare the impact of medication treatments on health-related quality of life (HRQOL), family function, and medical status in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-seven children diagnosed with JIA were assessed by a pediatric rheumatologist and placed into one of three treatment groups: (1) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory; (2) methotrexate; or (3) steroids via IV methylprednisolone. Questionnaires were administered at baseline and 4-month follow-up. The attending pediatric rheumatologist provided additional medical information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data document the impact of JIA on HRQOL, particularly on physical and pain domains. Steroid patients experienced improved HRQOL at follow-up relative to other groups, despite reporting more problems with side effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results demonstrate positive benefits of steroids in treating JIA children, despite the greatest incidence of adverse side effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn, Dallas, Texas 75219, USA. russ.riddle@tsrh.org
authors.forename: Russ
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Riddle
authors.forename: Christina N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Ryser
authors.forename: Anne A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Sampson
authors.forename: Richard H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.forename: Marilynn G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Punaro
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Gatchel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008775:Methylprednisolone; D008727:Methotrexate