Paediatric Rheumatology
Measuring the knowledge of juvenile idiopathic arthritis among Israeli paediatricians and paediatric orthopaedic surgeons: what needs to be improved?
D. Schujovitzky1, A. Ziv2, M. Heshin Bekenstein3, S. Eylon4, Z. Grossman5, P.J. Hashkes6, Y. Uziel7, R. Haviv8
- Paediatric Rheumatology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Paediatric Rheumatology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, and Paediatric Rheumatology Service, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Paediatric Orthopaedic Service, Alyn Rehabilitation for Children and Adolescents, Jerusalem, Israel.
- Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, and Israel and Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Paediatric Rheumatology Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
- Paediatric Rheumatology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Paediatric Rheumatology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. rubyha@hotmail.com
CER15507
2022 Vol.40, N°11
PI 2188, PF 2193
Paediatric Rheumatology
PMID: 35930493 [PubMed]
Received: 20/01/2022
Accepted : 26/05/2022
In Press: 05/08/2022
Published: 05/11/2022
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
Approximately 1 child in 1,000 is affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Persistent, undiagnosed JIA with high disease activity interferes with daily life and carries a risk of irreversible physical and psychosocial damage. Due to its relative rarity, primary care physicians often do not recognise it. Consequently, diagnosis and referral to paediatric rheumatologists are delayed. We aimed to evaluate the knowledge of Israeli paediatricians and paediatric orthopaedic surgeons regarding the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, laboratory parameters and treatment of JIA.
METHODS:
An 11-item, online questionnaire regarding JIA was sent to Israeli paediatricians and paediatric orthopaedic surgeons. The questionnaire was completed by 318 paediatricians and 30 paediatric orthopaedic surgeons (total response rate 22.5%).
RESULTS:
The average score was 67/100 points and the pass rate was 70.1% (set at 60 points). Several factors were associated with better overall scores: paediatric residents compared to senior physicians, exposure to rheumatology during residency, and seeing more patients with JIA in the past 5 years. No significant difference was found between paediatricians and paediatric orthopaedic surgeons. The true incidence of JIA was underestimated by 40% of participants, 30–45% were not familiar with its clinical presentation (age of onset, pain characteristics, chronic uveitis symptoms), and 60% were not familiar with up-to-date treatments.
CONCLUSIONS:
Paediatricians and paediatric orthopaedic surgeons in Israel have gaps in knowledge regarding JIA. This could result in delayed referral and treatment, which might affect outcomes. The results of this study highlight the need for better education and exposure to a rheumatologist, to improve knowledge and recognition of JIA.
