Understanding pain in juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Pain Processing Mechanisms in Patients With Juvenile Arthritis
This project will test whether temperature and pressure pain tests, questionnaires, and blood or saliva samples can help explain pain in kids and teens (ages 9–17) with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 140 (estimated) |
| Ages | 9 Years to 17 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Washington University School of Medicine Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (St Louis, Missouri) |
| Trial ID | NCT07217782 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Participants complete a single 2.5-hour visit that includes psychophysical testing of thermal and pressure pain, plus questionnaires on demographics, social factors, pubertal stage, and behavior. Researchers may collect a saliva sample and/or a blood draw to measure immune factors and sex hormones, and will request synovial fluid only if it is obtained as part of standard care. The study enrolls both youth with diagnosed or suspected juvenile idiopathic arthritis and healthy control participants for comparison. Optional follow-up activities may be offered but are not required.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Children and adolescents aged 9–17 who speak English, can complete surveys and testing, and have a diagnosis or suspected juvenile idiopathic arthritis (or are eligible healthy controls) are ideal participants.
Not a fit: Individuals outside the 9–17 age range, non-English speakers, pregnant or breastfeeding youth, or those unable to complete psychophysical testing are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could improve understanding of what drives pain in JIA and eventually help guide more targeted pain-management approaches for children.
How similar studies have performed: Previous psychophysical and biomarker studies in pediatric and adult arthritis have offered insights into pain mechanisms but results have been variable, so this approach is promising but not definitively established.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age between 9-17 2. Males and females 3. English speakers 4. Able to complete surveys and understand study instructions 5. Juvenile arthritis group: diagnosed or suspected of juvenile arthritis 6. Control group: healthy Exclusion Criteria: 1. Pregnancy or breastfeeding 2. (Control Group) Diagnosed with a chronic pain condition 3. (Control Group) Diagnosed with psychiatric condition including ADHD, anxiety, depression, etc.
Where this trial is running
St Louis, Missouri
- Washington University School of Medicine — St Louis, Missouri, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Hadas Nahman-Averbuch, PhD — Washington University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Alana McMichael, MA
- Email: painlab@wustl.edu
- Phone: 314-273-6194
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.