Dynamic Gait Index as a Functional Gait Assessment Measure in Children With JIA

Investigation of Validity and Reliability of Dynamic Walking Index in Childhood Rheumatic Diseases

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is one of the most common chronic rheumatic diseases seen in childhood. Pain, joint swelling and loss of function caused by inflammation significantly reduce the patients' quality of life and lead to muscle weakness, limited range of motion and gait disorders. Although there are various clinical assessment methods, there is no functional test in the current literature that evaluates walking in children with JIA.

The Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) is a functional walking scale that evaluates walking on level ground, walking while changing speed, walking with sideways head turns, walking with vertical head turns, walking with pivot turns, walking by jumping over obstacles, going around obstacles and climbing stairs. While the DGA is widely used in the clinical assessment of walking in older adults and other pediatric patient groups, it has not yet been investigated for the assessment of walking difficulties in children with JIA. This study aimed to determine whether the DYI is a usable tool for assessing walking in children with JIA.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Study Group;

• Having a JIA diagnosis according to ILAR criteria between the ages of 8-16,

• Having unilateral knee joint involvement that will affect walking

• Being compatible, volunteer and cooperative in the study Control Group;

  1. Not having any neurological or orthopedic diagnosis
  2. Being between the ages of 8-16
  3. Being at a mental level that can understand the commands of the person performing the evaluation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Study Group;
• Having an additional neurological or orthopedic diagnosis accompanying JIA and affecting treatment results,
• Having lower extremity asymmetry or active lower extremity involvement other than the knee joint that will affect walking.

Control Group;

-Having any health problem that may affect the study