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Biologically Based Outcome Predictors (BBOP)

in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

The BBOP study will identify interactions between a child's genes, environment, and lifestyle that may help predict childhood arthritis outcomes, like joint damage and diminished quality of life. 

Juvenile arthritis is one of the most common chronic disabling conditions of childhood. When the exact cause of childhood arthritis is unknown the condition is referred to as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (idiopathic means the cause is unknown).  In this study we expect to show that the interaction of genes, environment, and lifestyle early in disease can help predict JIA outcomes such as joint damage and diminished quality of life. We have three main goals:

1. To study the effect of stress on inflammatory proteins levels and look at arthritis outcomes
   
2. To investigate whether having any infections will worsen arthritis outcomes since infection also increases inflammation especially in the presence of certain genes
   
3. To determine whether nutrition, physical activity, sun exposure, exposure to tobacco smoke, and physical trauma can predict damage to the bone and cartilage in the joints.
   

We believe that genes may play a role in JIA because the body’s bone-making and bone-destroying proteins are determined by genes. We believe we will be able to predict JIA outcomes by looking at a patient’s internal and external environment (stress, infections, exercise, sunlight, diet, trauma and exposure to toxins such as tobacco) and the genes that determine inflammatory protein levels. By predicting outcomes more accurately we will be able to improve patient care.