title: The relationship between physical activity levels and pain in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pain and reduced physical activity levels are common in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Currently, there is no consensus about the role of physical activity in managing pain in JIA. The purpose of our study was to assess the relationship between physical activity level and pain in children ages 11 to 18 years with JIA.
  
  
  METHODS
  A random sample of 50 patients with JIA were approached by mailed questionnaires. Physical activity was determined using the Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ). Pain measures included the Numerical Rating Scale (pain severity), SUPER-KIDZ body diagram (number of painful areas), and the Child Activities Limitations Inventory-21 (pain interference). Generalized linear models were used to assess the relationship between physical activity and pain, as well as the roles of sex and age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 84%. Thirty-four respondents completed the questionnaire package. The median age was 15 years. The mean PAQ score was 2.16/5. Physical activity declines with increasing age in youth with JIA (r = 0.53, p = 0.0014). Lower physical activity is associated with greater pain interference (r = 0.39, p = 0.0217) and more severe pain (r = 0.35, p = 0.0422).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children with JIA report significantly less activity than healthy children based on PAQ scores, with physical activity declining throughout adolescence. Physical activity is inversely related to pain interference and severity in children with JIA. Our findings suggest that physical activity interventions may play an important role in the management of pain in JIA.
authors: From the Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto; Department of Rheumatology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Elizaveta
authors: E
authors: Limenis
authors: Haddas A
authors: HA
authors: Grosbein
authors: Brian M
authors: BM
authors: Feldman
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS; PAIN; PHYSICAL ACTIVITY