New PhD from REMEDY: Childhood arthritis can have serious consequences in adulthood
Modern medications have a good effect on adults with juvenile arthritis. However, many have reduced physical quality of life and multiple comorbidities. This is shown by research by Imane Bardan, who defended her thesis on November 3.
Approximately half of those who develop juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) continue to have active disease into adulthood.
In her doctoral work, the doctor has researched how the disease affects patients later in life. Through three studies, she has looked at the effect of medical treatment, health-related quality of life and the occurrence of other diseases.
– Many people think of JIA as something you "grow out of", but our research shows that for many, the disease has consequences well into adulthood, says Bardan.
When Bardan began his doctoral work, there was limited knowledge about the effects of disease-modifying drugs in adults with JIA.
The treatment works, but the challenges remain
One of the main findings is that adults with JIA have just as good an effect from the same type of anti-inflammatory and disease-modifying treatment as patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
At the same time, the research shows that adults with JIA who receive disease-modifying treatment report lower physical health-related quality of life than both arthritis patients and the general population. However, the researchers found no corresponding difference in an overall measure of mental health-related quality of life.
Multiple additional diseases
The researchers compared 2,932 adults with JIA with 29,097 people from the general population in a nationwide registry study.
They found higher prevalence of, among other things, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease and autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes and celiac disease.
The study also showed a slightly higher mortality rate among patients with JIA. The difference was small in absolute numbers, but statistically significant.
The results show that good control of joint inflammation is not necessarily sufficient. Other health problems also need to be addressed when patients become adults.
– This emphasizes the need for follow-up over time, says Bardan.
Parallel research and medical education
Bardan began researching adults with JIA while she was a research student at the University of Oslo's medical school. She conducted the first study partly alongside her studies and partly during research leave.
Two of the three studies in the doctoral thesis are based on data from NOR-DMARD, a long-term observational study that was established at Diakonhjemmet Hospital in 2000 and that has since its inception covered between 25 and 35% of the population in Norway. The study follows patients with inflammatory diseases of the joints and examines the effect of disease-modifying drugs in routine clinical practice.
Bardan's research shows how data collected over many years can provide new knowledge about the treatment and follow-up of patients.
– After I learned about the NOR-DMARD study, I became very interested in finding out how people who still have JIA as adults respond to drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults, says Bardan.
Research in collaboration between hospitals
The doctoral work was carried out in connection with the REMEDY Center, in collaboration between Oslo University Hospital and Diakonhjemmet Hospital.
The main supervisor has been consultant and senior researcher Anna-Birgitte Aga at Oslo University Hospital. Co-supervisors are Eirik Klami Kristianslund and Øyvind Molberg.
The research has also received international attention. At the European Rheumatology Congress EULAR in 2026, Bardan was awarded the Clinical Abstract Award.
Bardan defended his thesis on November 3, 2026 at the University of Oslo with the thesis Treatment effectiveness, health-related quality of life and long-term outcomes in adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Facts: Juvenile arthritis (JIA)
- The disease: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs before the age of 16.
- Scope: Approximately 140 children are diagnosed each year in Norway. Between 1,200 and 1,500 children and young people live with the disease.
- Symptoms: Swollen and stiff joints, pain, fatigue and reduced mobility. The disease can also cause eye inflammation.
- Duration: Around half still have active disease as adults.
- Treatment: Anti-inflammatory and disease-modifying drugs, including methotrexate and biologic medications, can reduce disease activity and prevent joint damage.
Read more about Imane Bardan's research
Read about Juvenile Arthritis, not just a "children's disease"
