11 Evaluation of doctors’ knowledge (excluding rheumatologists and pediatricians) of juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Abstract

BackgroundJuvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common pediatric inflammatory arthritis. However, this disease is not fully understood by all practitioners.ObjectivesThe objective of this survey is to assess the level of knowledge and attitudes of doctors excluding rheumatologists and pediatricians on the management of JIA.MethodsIn this cross-sectional descriptive study, an anonymous questionnaire composed of 20 questions, designed with the Google-Forms software, was sent via social networks to doctors from different specialties (excluding rheumatologists and pediatricians) and to interns and residents of the University Hospitals of Tunis.ResultsA total of 100 physicians responded to the questionnaire (61 women and 39 men). The mean age was 31.01 ± 5.64 [24–51] years. Fifty-seven percent of the participants were in training, 27% worked in public hospitals and 16% in private clinics. Most participants were general practitioners (32%), followed by ophthalmologists (9%), gynecologists (7%), and internists (5%). the mean length of service was 4.99 ± 4.5 [0–22] years. Thirty-six participants affirmed they have been confronted with patients with JIA. Twenty percent of participants believed they have knowledge about JIA. Among them, 25% believed they have sufficient knowledge, the others had superficial knowledge. Thirty-four percent of participants knew the definition of the disease according to the age, 17% knew its frequency and 18% had an idea about its various sub forms. The most frequent sub form was known only by 32 participants.Regarding the complications of JIA, only 25% of the participants thought of the macrophage activation syndrome in case of deterioration of the general state, fever, and pancytopenia. In addition, 44% of participants knew that JIA can be complicated by ocular involvement.Concerning the presence of rheumatoid factors and anti-nuclear antibodies during JIA, 64% and 60% respectively answered that their presence was not necessary.Concerning the care of JIA, 64% of participants referred these patients to rheumatologists, 31% to a pediatrician, and 5% took care of them themselves.The interest of methotrexate and biological treatments were known by 48% of the participants. However, 37% of participants had no idea of the therapeutic management of JIA.Concerning the prognosis, only 25% of the participants know the sub forms of bad prognosis. However, 48% had no idea about the prognosis of the disease.ConclusionThe level of knowledge of doctors on JIA is low to average. Training for physicians on this potentially serious disease is needed.