title: Use and perceived relevance of health-related Internet sites and online contact with peers among young people with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the frequency of use and relevance of health-related Internet (HRI) sites and online peer support groups and their association with demographic, disease-related and psychosocial variables in young people with JIA.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional study, 176 young people (10-27 years of age) with JIA were asked to complete a questionnaire. The frequency of using HRI sites (regarding information, medication use and aspects of JIA relating to social life), online peer contact and perceived relevance of HRI sites and online peer communication were determined. Associations with demographic variables, disease activity, medication, emotional behaviour and coping were also examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-one per cent of the 142 respondents had used the Internet to search for general information on JIA, but specific topics, such as medication, were searched for less often. Twenty-five per cent of respondents had visited a forum or had contacted peers online. The perceived relevance of HRI sites and online peer contact was rated low (median 2.0 and 1.0, respectively; scale 0-10). Apart from female gender (P < 0.01), none of the demographic and disease-related factors were associated with HRI site use. Coping styles, confrontation and reassuring thoughts were associated with increased HRI site use, but only in males. Internalizing and externalizing problem behaviour were not significantly associated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The frequency of HRI site use among young people with JIA was less than expected and was considered of low relevance. HRI sites in their present form cannot replace traditional information as an additional source to increase knowledge.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Department of Rheumatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, P.vanPelt@erasmusmc.nl.
authors.forename: Philomine A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: van Pelt
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede.
authors.forename: Constance H C
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Drossaert
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology and.
authors.forename: Aike A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kruize
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Psychology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jaap
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huisman
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam.
authors.forename: Radboud J E M
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Dolhain
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht.
authors.forename: Nico M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Wulffraat
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010379:Peer Group; D012648:Self Care; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D060756:Social Networking; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents
keywords: DMARDs; adolescent rheumatology; coping factors; digital information; education (patients); juvenile idiopathic arthritis; transition