BACKGROUND: The assessment of health-related quality of life gains increasing importance in pediatric practice. In the field of rheumatic health conditions in young people only a few studies about this topic are available. Within a European study health-related quality of life of children and adolescents with idiopathic arthritis was assessed. The results of the German sample will be presented. PATIENTS: A total of N=88 children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (57% female) between 8 und 16 years were included in the study. METHOD: Children and adolescents filled in a questionnaire. Health-related quality of life was assessed with the DISABKIDS instrument. RESULTS: No age or gender effects on health-related quality of life were detected. The variable "limitation of mobility" as well as the item "pain" showed the strongest relationship with the health-related quality of life dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: Health-related quality of life is decisively influenced by the consequences of the health condition. For clinical practice the study showed that patients with mobility limitations and/or pain need heightened attention which should especially concentrate on the social and mental dimensions of health-related quality of life.
