Mental health needs of children and young people with arthritis

Le résumé fourni par la source

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is the most common paediatric rheumatological condition, affecting approximately 1 in 1,000 children and young people. It is a heterogeneous chronic disease characterised by persistent joint inflammation, often requiring long-term management to achieve remission or inactive disease. The unpredictable nature of JIA places children and young people at increased risk of mental health difficulties, which are associated with greater pain, disability, disease activity, and reduced quality of life. Emerging evidence highlights the bidirectional relationship between psychological well-being and disease outcomes, with early depressive symptoms predicting poorer physical functioning. Given that half of all mental health disorders emerge during adolescence, early identification and intervention are critical. Transition to adult services represents another vulnerable period, where psychosocial support and effective family functioning can improve readiness and long-term outcomes. Mental health challenges remain under-recognised within paediatric rheumatology, despite persisting into adulthood and exacerbating disease burden. Recent guidance from the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA, 2025) underscores the need for routine assessment and integrated management of psychological well-being. This review summarises the prevalence, risk factors, and management strategies for mental health problems in JIA, aiming to inform holistic, multidisciplinary care.

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