Lipid profile in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in active and inactive state of disease

Background: Dyslipidemia is a feature of Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and may act as a fertile soil for future cardiovascular morbidity due to pro-atherogenic lipid profile that may run in parallel with inflammation. Controlling the inflammation with adequate treatment may normalize the lipid profile to less atherogenic.
Objectives: To assess and compare the lipid profile in active and inactive state of disease and to determine the relationship of lipid profile with disease duration.
Methodology: In this prospective observational study, 55 newly diagnosed cases of JIA fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included by purposive sampling method. A detailed questionnaire was completed for each participant taken into account of the socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters including fasting lipid profile and other base line investigations. Thirty-two children were in inactive disease state after treatment by attending paediatric rheumatologist. Clinical and laboratory parameters were again recorded for comparing the lipid profile of children in active and inactive disease state.
Results: Low level of High density lipoprotein (HDL) and abnormal high level of Triglyceride (TG) were present in 70.9% and 45.5% of JIA children. While lipid profile was compared, HDL cholesterol and TG levels were significantly improved during inactive state (p-value <0.05). Though not significant, increase trend of total cholesterol was present when the disease became inactive.
Conclusion: Dyslipidemia was present in JIA patients that included decrease HDL cholesterol levels and high TG levels. This pro-atherogenic lipid profile became normal when the disease became inactive.