Fatigue in children with ESR-JIA is associated with lower muscle mass, weaker ankle plantarflexor strength, higher pain intensity, depression-related cognitive changes, and poorer sleep efficiency.
In a cross-sectional study of 77 children with enthesitis/spondylitis-related juvenile idiopathic arthritis (ESR-JIA), fatigue severity was independently associated with pain intensity, depression-related cognitive changes, ankle plantarflexion strength, and sleep efficiency. These factors collectively explained 33.6% of the variance in fatigue scores measured by the PedsQL-MFS.
This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.
Fatigue in children with ESR-JIA is associated with lower muscle mass, weaker ankle plantarflexor strength, higher pain intensity, depression-related cognitive changes, and poorer sleep efficiency. The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 34/100 (low).
The Claim
Fatigue in children with ESR-JIA is associated with lower muscle mass, weaker ankle plantarflexor strength, higher pain intensity, depression-related cognitive changes, and poorer sleep efficiency.
This conclusion is most relevant to: 77 children diagnosed with enthesitis/spondylitis-related juvenile idiopathic arthritis (ESR-JIA)..
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Factors associated with fatigue in children with enthesitis/spondylitis-related juvenile idiopathic arthritis: an exploratory cross-sectional study. (Pediatric rheumatology online journal, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Higher pain intensity and depression-related cognitive changes increase fatigue perception
- ▸Lower ankle plantarflexion strength and poorer sleep efficiency contribute to physical and restorative deficits
- ▸These factors collectively worsen fatigue severity in children with ESR-JIA
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸77 children diagnosed with enthesitis/spondylitis-related juvenile idiopathic arthritis (ESR-JIA).
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Cross-sectional design prevents causal inference
- ▸Small sample size (n=77) limits generalizability
- ▸Exploratory analysis with multiple comparisons may inflate type I error
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PedsQL-MFS and how is it scored?▼
The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (PedsQL-MFS) is a validated questionnaire assessing fatigue in children. Higher scores indicate less fatigue.
Which factors were independently associated with fatigue in ESR-JIA?▼
Pain intensity, depression-related cognitive changes, ankle plantarflexion strength, and sleep efficiency were independently associated with fatigue in the stepwise multivariable regression model.
How much variance in fatigue did the final model explain?▼
The final model explained 33.6% of the variance in PedsQL-MFS total scores.
What are the clinical implications of this study?▼
The findings highlight the multidimensional nature of fatigue in ESR-JIA, suggesting that management should address pain, depression, muscle strength, and sleep quality.
References
- 1.Zhang M, Xing Y, He X, Guo G, Chen N. “Factors associated with fatigue in children with enthesitis/spondylitis-related juvenile idiopathic arthritis: an exploratory cross-sectional study..” Pediatric rheumatology online journal, 2026. PMID: 42469797 DOI: 10.1186/s12969-026-01247-y