Clinical spectrum of arthritis in children: A single center study from eastern India

Background: The importance and awareness of pediatric rheumatic diseases (PRDs) are increasing globally. Arthritis in children is a condition that can potentially lead to complications. It can be a manifestation of multiple disease processes. This study was aimed at identifying the common causes and evaluating the clinical profile of pediatric arthritis in Eastern India. Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional, hospital-based study conducted on 68 children after obtaining approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. All participants satisfied the inclusion criteria. The study duration was from February 2021 to July 2022. Results: Out of 68 cases, 29 children had chronic arthritis, and acute arthritis was noted in 39 children. Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) (16.18%) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (8.82%) were the common causes of acute arthritis. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) (n = 22, 32.35%) was the most common rheumatological disorder in our study. The common subtypes of JIA were polyarthritis and systemic onset JIA (sJIA) (n = 10 each). Various extra-articular manifestations involving the mucocutaneous, renal, cardiac, respiratory, and central nervous systems were also observed. Conclusion: There is limited data on arthritis from eastern India, and our study aims to provide valuable insights to help bridge the gap in the existing literature.