Scoliosis and Functional Outcomes in Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Comprehensive Evaluation of Scoliosis and Its Association With Functional Status, Postural Alignment, and Disease Activity in Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that may affect musculoskeletal development and posture in children. Spinal involvement, including scoliosis, is not routinely evaluated in clinical practice despite its potential impact on functional status and quality of life.

This cross-sectional study aims to assess the presence of scoliosis in children with JIA and to investigate its association with functional status, postural alignment, and disease activity. Clinical and functional parameters will be analyzed to better understand the impact of spinal deformities in this population.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Scoliosis

Detailed Description

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that may negatively affect musculoskeletal development, posture, and overall physical function in children. Although peripheral joint involvement is well characterized, axial and postural abnormalities, including scoliosis, are not routinely assessed during follow-up despite their potential clinical significance.

This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the presence of scoliosis in children with JIA and to investigate its relationship with disease activity, functional status, pain, and postural alignment. Comprehensive clinical assessments, including physical examination, disease activity scores, and functional evaluation tools, will be performed. Where applicable, postural analysis and imaging findings will also be considered.

By identifying the frequency and clinical impact of scoliosis in JIA, this study seeks to improve awareness of spinal involvement and to provide a basis for early recognition and multidisciplinary management strategies, including targeted physiotherapy interventions.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 200

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Bengisu Menentoğlu; Phone Number: +905359523337; Email: bengisusanisoglu@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of children and adolescents aged 8-18 years diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) according to ILAR criteria and followed up at a tertiary pediatric rheumatology center. Participants will be recruited consecutively during routine outpatient visits. The aim of the study is to evaluate the prevalence and severity of scoliosis, as defined by Cobb angle measurements on physical examination and, if necessary, standing spinal radiographs, and to examine its relationship with clinical and functional parameters. Both patients with and without scoliosis will be included in the study.

Description

Inclusion Criteria

• Age between 8 and 18 years at the time of enrollment
• Diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) according to ILAR criteria
• Written informed consent obtained from parent/legal guardian and assent from the child/adolescent, when appropriate

Exclusion Criteria

• Known scoliosis due to non-JIA causes (e.g., congenital vertebral anomalies, neuromuscular disorders, or syndromic scoliosis)
• History of prior spinal surgery or current brace treatment for scoliosis
• History of significant spinal trauma or spinal infection/tumor affecting spinal alignment
• Presence of coexisting chronic conditions that significantly affect posture, gait, or functional testing (e.g., severe neurologic impairment) and may confound assessments
• Inability to undergo required assessments (e.g., inability to stand for radiographs or complete functional measures)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
JIA Patients With Scoliosis; Children diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) who have scoliosis, defined by a Cobb angle of ≥10 degrees on standing spinal radiographs. Clinical characteristics, disease activity parameters, and functional assessments including postural and plantar pressure analyses will be evaluated. No intervention will be applied; this group will be observationally assessed.
JIA Patients Without Scoliosis; Children diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) without evidence of scoliosis (Cobb angle <10 degrees). Participants will undergo the same clinical, laboratory (if applicable), and functional assessments as the scoliosis group. This is an observational group with no intervention.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Prevalence of Scoliosis in Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis	Proportion of participants with scoliosis, defined as a Cobb angle ≥10° measured on standing spinal radiographs.	At baseline (single study visit)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Scoliosis Severity (Cobb Angle)	Cobb angle (degrees) measured on standing spinal radiographs. Scoliosis defined as Cobb angle ≥10°.	At baseline (single study visit)
Health-Related Quality of Life (PedsQL)	Health-related quality of life assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) total score (and physical and psychosocial subscale scores, if available). Scores are transformed to a 0-100 scale (range: 0-100), with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life.	At baseline (single study visit)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Istanbul University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): April 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 19, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 19, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 25, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 27, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 25, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Scoliosis; Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis; Functional Outcomes; Pediatric Rheumatology; Postural Alignment
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Bone Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Arthritis; Joint Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases; Connective Tissue Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Spinal Diseases; Spinal Curvatures; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases; Arthritis, Juvenile; Scoliosis
• Other Study ID Numbers: Jia-scoliosis

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED
• IPD Plan Description: The decision to share individual participant data (IPD) has not yet been finalized. Data sharing may be considered upon reasonable request after publication, subject to institutional policies, ethical approvals, and data protection regulations.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No