Elsevier

The Journal of Pediatrics

Volume 209, June 2019, Pages 236-239.e2
The Journal of Pediatrics

Clinical and Laboratory Observations
Pediatrician Beliefs about Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis May Result in Referral Delays: A Spanish National Survey

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.12.038Get rights and content

We explored, through a national survey, pediatrician beliefs and misconceptions that could interfere with early referral of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. A total of 831 pediatricians participated. Approximately one-half of the respondents underestimated the incidence of the disease and thought that pain was the leading symptom of oligoarticular forms.

Section snippets

Methods

A national online survey was conducted between January and May 2014. The questions were designed by the authors to assess the frequency of common beliefs and misconceptions about JIA detected after years of interaction with fellow pediatricians and pediatric residents in seminars and meetings; reasons for outpatient referrals represented another source of information.

The survey was created using Google Forms. The link was publicized through the major national pediatric associations' mailing

Demographic Characteristics of the Participants

A total of 831 pediatricians (n = 699, 84%) or pediatric trainees (n = 132, 16%) answered the survey. Most of them, 668 (80%) were women, and two-thirds worked in primary care (n = 545, 66%). Just over one-half of the participants (n = 440, 53%) had more than 15 years of experience, with a similar distribution of those between 5 and 15 years of experience and those with 5 or less years (22 and 25%, respectively).

Answers were received from all over Spain, with higher participation of physicians

Discussion

This national survey revealed and quantified a number of misconceptions that can interfere with early recognition and referral of patients with JIA.

Early diagnosis of the disease is important because there is strong evidence that early treatment results in better disease control and long-term prognosis.14, 15 Currently, the diagnostic delay in patients with JIA is 3-12 months.16, 17, 18 One report analyzed the patient's experiences with the care for JIA across Europe.19 The authors studied the

Data Statement

Data sharing statement available at www.jpeds.com.

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  • Cited by (0)

    The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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