Sarcopenia and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (NCT07634354) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Sarcopenia and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
France200 participantsStarted 2026-06
Plain-language summary
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a rare chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease that begins during childhood and may persist into adulthood in many patients. In addition to joint pain, swelling, and long-term articular damage, chronic inflammatory diseases may also be associated with early sarcopenia, defined as a loss of muscle strength and muscle mass. While this association has been described in adult inflammatory rheumatic diseases, it has not been well studied in patients with JIA.
The aim of this study is to screen for sarcopenia in adolescents and adults with JIA in France. Sarcopenia will be assessed using validated questionnaires, hand grip strength measured with a Jamar dynamometer, and body composition measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Completion of validated questionnaires will assess nutritional status, fatigue, physical activity, and functional impact. Socio-demographic and clinical data will also be collected from medical records.
This multicenter cross-sectional study will be conducted between June 2026 and October 2027 in 11 French hospitals. Eligible participants are patients aged 15 to 40 years with JIA diagnosed according to ILAR criteria and followed in a French hospital.
This study will provide the first estimate of sarcopenia prevalence among patients with JIA in France. It will also help identify factors associated with sarcopenia and its impact on daily functioning and quality of life. In the longer term, the findings may help clinicians better identify patients at risk and support earlier management focused on disease control, physical activity, and nutritional care.
Who can participate
Age range
15 Years – 40 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
inclusion criteria :
* Patients followed in French hospitals participating in the study for juvenile idiopathic arthritis, all forms combined, diagnosed according to the ILAR criteria defined in Edmonton in 2001
* Patients aged 15 to 40 years
* Affiliated to social security
* Agreeing to participate in the study and having given their written consent (signed consent form).
In the case of a minor patient, the consent of the patient and their legal guardians is required.
exclusion criteria :
* Patient under legal guardianship
* Patient not covered by social security
* Pregnant woman
* Inability to perform a functional test required by the study (grip test or whole-body DEXA scan)
* Inability to understand the questionnaires
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Since this trial is focused on sarcopenia — muscle loss — in children and teens with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, is my child's muscle health something we should already be monitoring, regardless of whether they join this study?
2This trial hasn't started recruiting yet, so there's no timeline confirmed — how long do you think it might realistically be before we'd know if my child could even be considered, and should we be pursuing other options in the meantime?
3Since this study is listed as Phase NA, which often means it's observational rather than testing a new treatment, can you explain what my child would actually be asked to do if they participated — and whether there are any risks or burdens involved?
4Given that sarcopenia is what's being measured, does my child currently show any signs of muscle loss related to their JIA, and would participating in a study like this give us more useful information about their specific situation?
5Are there standard-of-care approaches already available to address muscle loss in kids with juvenile idiopathic arthritis that we should be pursuing now, rather than waiting for this trial to open?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.