Abstract
Rheumatology is a relatively new specialty in the field of Pediatrics in India where there are only a few centres of excellence. Awareness about these conditions in childhood is lacking and patients are often referred late resulting in poor long term outcomes. This article highlights the needs of the paediatric rheumatology patients which are complex and should encompass both acute and chronic care and also plan a smooth transition to the adult rheumatology world. In the year 2010, attaining remission is the goal for every child with a rheumatologic disorder, which is seldom achieved for the Indian pediatric rheumatologic patient. The article discusses the reasons for poor awareness, the current outcome for these patients and details the burden of disease in India. The health care delivery system and finally the way forward have been discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Smith EC, Berry H, Scott DL. The clinical need for an acute rheumatology referral service. Br J Rheumatol. 1996;35:389–91.
Slobodin G, Hussein A, Rozenbaum M, Rosner I. The emergency room in systemic rheumatic diseases. Emerg Med J. 2006;23:667–71.
Sawhney S. Rheumatologic emergencies. In: Sachdev HPS, Choudhury P, Bagga A et al, editors. Principles of pediatric & neonatal emergencies, 2nd ed. Jaypee Publishers; 2004. p. 364–369.
Ansell BM. How should pediatric rheumatology be delivered? Clin Exp Rheumatol. 1994;12:S113–6.
Foster HE, Eltringham MS, Kay LJ, Friswell M, Abinun M, Myers A. Delay in access to appropriate care for children presenting with musculoskeletal symptoms and ultimately diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2007;57:921–7.
Thon A, Ullrich G. Information needs in parents of children with a rheumatic disease. Child Care Health Dev. 2009;35:41–7.
Foeldvari I. Do we need paediatric rheumatologists? The Hamburg, Germany experience. Arthritis Rheum. 1999;42:396.
Minden K, Niewerth M, Listing J, et al. Long-term outcome in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2002;46(9):2392–401.
Minden K. Adult outcomes of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Horm Res. 2009;72(1):20–5.
Aggarwal A, Agarwal V, Danda D, Misra R. Outcome in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in India. Indian Pediatr. 2004;41:180–4.
McDonagh JE, Southwood TR, Shaw KL, Group British Paediatric Rheumatology. Unmet education and training needs of rheumatology health professionals in adolescent health and transition care. Rheumatology. 2004;43:737–43.
Cassidy JT, Petty RE. Chronic arthritis in childhood. In: Petty RE, Cassidy JT, editors. Text book of pediatric rheumatology, 5th ed. London: Saunders; 2005. p. 206–260.
http://censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/National_Summary/.
Khubchandani RP, Singh S. Pediatric rheumatology in India. Indian J Pediatr. 2002;69:873–4.
Sawhney S. Do we need paediatric rheumatologists in India? Indian J Rheumatol. 2008;3:120–3.
Demirkaya E, Ozen S, Türker T, Kuis W, Saurenmann RK. Current educational status of pediatric rheumatology in Europe. A PReS survey. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2009;27:685–90.
Sarma PK, Misra R, Aggarwal A. Physical disability, articular, and extra-articular damage in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Clin Rheumatol. 2008;27:1261–5.
Sarma PK, Misra R, Aggarwal A. Outcome in patients with enthesitis related arthritis (ERA): juvenile arthritis damage index (JADI) and functional status. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. 2008;22:6–18.
Sawhney S. Spectrum of juvenile idiopathic arthritis in a tertiary care centre in Northern India. Indian J Rheumatol. 2006;14:3–6.
Aggarwal A, Agarwal V, Danda D, Misra R. Outcome in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in India. Indian Pediatr. 2004;41:180–4.
Singh S, Kumar L, Khetarpal R, Aggarwal P, et al. Clinical and immunological profile of SLE: some unusual features. Indian Pediatr. 1997;34:979–86.
Miettunen PM, Ortiz-Alvarez O, Petty RE, et al. Gender and ethnic origin have no effect on longterm outcome of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus. J Rheumatol. 2004;31:1650–4.
Contributions
Each author’s contribution: Equally contributed.
Conflict of Interest
None.
Role of Funding Source
None.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sawhney, S., Manners, P. The Place of Pediatric Rheumatology in India. Indian J Pediatr 77, 993–996 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-010-0134-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-010-0134-x