Correlation of high-resolution computed tomography with inflammatory markers in pulmonary evaluation of Egyptian children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Abstract Background The most common cause of persistent arthritis in children is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). One frequent consequence of JIA is interstitial lung disease (ILD). When identifying diffuse lung disorders, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is a beneficial imaging method. The purpose of this study is to identify the range of abnormalities detected by HRCT in patients with JIA and to investigate their relationship with inflammatory markers. Methods Thirty JIA patients who were routinely observed at Tertiary University Pediatric Hospital's Rheumatology Clinic were included in this cross-sectional study. In addition to HRCT imaging, patients had thorough evaluations that included medical history, physical examinations, articular, ophthalmological, and chest exams. Results A statistically significant correlation was observed between systemic manifestations and elevated levels of ESR, CRP, and ferritin, with P -values of 0.002, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively (< 0.05 is statistically significant). Similarly, pulmonary manifestations showed a significant correlation with ESR, CRP, and ferritin, with P -values of 0.001 and 0.001. Additionally, 11 patients (36.7%) displayed HRCT findings indicative of ILD. Amongst these, 9 patients (30%) exhibited a ground-glass appearance, 5 (16.7%) had interlobular thickening, 1 (3.3%) presented with pulmonary nodules, 1 (3.3%) had bronchiectasis or bronchiolectasis, and 8 (26.7%) showed air trapping. Conclusion Patients with JIA often experience pulmonary problems, which can manifest as a range of clinical symptoms. For the early identification of subclinical pleuropulmonary involvement, HRCT of the chest is highly suggested, as it provides a comprehensive evaluation of pulmonary abnormalities.