RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Feasibility of a Diet Intervention for Juvenile Arthritis

This study explores how a special diet, based on the Mediterranean diet, might help children with arthritis. Many families are interested in how diet can improve their child’s condition. We know that the tiny living things in our gut, called the gut microbiome, are important for our immune system and can be changed by what we eat. Researchers want to find out if this specific diet can make a difference for children with arthritis. They will also check if any improvements are linked to changes in the gut microbiome. This information will help plan bigger studies to understand how diet affects children with arthritis and their gut health.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

The Hospital for Sick Children

Enrolment target

Start

07 Apr 2025

Estimated completion

01 Oct 2028

Arthritis, Juvenile Arthritis, Childhood Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

What is this study about?

This research is looking into how a special diet might help children aged 8 to 18 who have a type of arthritis called Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Many families wonder if what their child eats can affect their arthritis and overall health. Scientists have found that the tiny living things, like bacteria, in our intestines (what we call the gut microbiome) play a big role in how our immune system works. They also know that the food we eat can change these important gut inhabitants.

So, this study wants to see if following a diet based on the healthy principles of the Mediterranean diet can improve arthritis symptoms in children. They also want to understand if any improvements are connected to changes in the gut microbiome. By understanding this connection, researchers hope to give families clearer information on how diet might help manage arthritis in children.

This study is a first step to see if a diet like this is practical for children with arthritis and if it shows promising results. If it does, it will help researchers plan a much larger study, possibly with children from many countries, to confirm these findings. Ultimately, the goal is to provide scientific evidence to help families make informed decisions about their child's diet and health.

Key takeaways

This study focuses on how diet can affect children with an arthritis called JIA.
It tests a diet similar to the Mediterranean diet.
Researchers will check changes in arthritis symptoms and gut bacteria.
Participation involves following the diet and providing samples over 8-12 weeks.
The aim is to help families make informed choices about diet and health.
This is a first step to see if a bigger study is needed.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, children need to be between 8 and 18 years old and have a diagnosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). However, children with certain rarer types of JIA, like widespread JIA that affects the whole body, or those with a specific blood test result (rheumatoid factor positive polyarthritis), cannot take part in this particular study. Your child's current arthritis treatment needs to have been steady for at least 8 weeks and not expected to change during the 12-week study period.

It's also important that your child is able to provide stool (poo) samples and can understand and answer questionnaires in English or French after receiving diet instructions. This is to make sure we get all the necessary information for the study.

Children cannot join if they have certain medical conditions like specific food allergies (such as to nuts or dairy), coeliac disease, or other health problems that might make it hard to follow the study diet, such as type 1 diabetes or stomach ulcers.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Is your child aged between 8 and 18 years?
Does your child have Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), but not the systemic or specific RF positive polyarthritis types?
Has your child's current arthritis medication been steady for at least 8 weeks and is not expected to change soon?
Can your child provide stool (poo) samples?
Does your child understand English or French well enough to answer questions and follow diet instructions?
Does your child NOT have specific food allergies, coeliac disease, or other health issues that might affect following a new diet (like Type 1 diabetes or stomach ulcers)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If your child joins the study, they will follow a special diet, similar to the Mediterranean diet, for eight weeks. They’ll also have the option to continue this diet for another four weeks, making it 12 weeks in total. Throughout the study, there will be three main check-up points: at the very beginning, after 8 weeks, and again after 12 weeks.

At each of these check-ups, your child will be asked to provide stool (poo) and blood samples. They will also fill out questionnaires about their diet, daily life, and general health. A doctor will also do a full check-up to see how their arthritis is doing. Your child should continue their usual arthritis medication as prescribed, as long as it has been stable for 8 weeks before the study starts and isn't expected to change during the study. The total duration of active participation is up to 12 weeks.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study might help us understand more about how diet can affect arthritis in children. While we hope the diet may improve your child's symptoms, we can't guarantee any specific health benefits as this is a research study. There might be some minor inconveniences from providing blood and stool samples, or from following a new diet. You can stop participating in the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your child's usual medical care.

Locations (7)

University of Manitoba
Verified postcode
Winnipeg, Canada· Not yet recruiting
McMaster Children's Hospital
Verified postcode
Hamilton, Canada· Recruiting
London Health Sciences Centre
Verified postcode
London, Canada· Recruiting
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)
Verified postcode
Ottawa, Canada· Recruiting
The Hospital for Sick Children
Verified postcode
Toronto, Canada· Active not recruiting
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine
Verified postcode
Montreal, Canada· Not yet recruiting
Jim Pattison Children's Hospital
Verified postcode
Saskatoon, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is the Mediterranean diet?

It's a healthy eating plan focused on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats like olive oil, and lean protein, with less red meat.

Will my child have to stop their current medication?

No, your child will continue their normal arthritis medication. We just need it to be stable before starting the study.

What kind of samples will be collected?

At different times, we will ask for stool (poo) and blood samples to check for changes.

How long does the study last?

Your child will follow the diet for 8 weeks, with an option to continue for another 4 weeks, making it up to 12 weeks in total.

What if my child has food allergies?

Children with known specific food allergies or coeliac disease cannot participate in this study.

How to find out more

Hayyah Clairman

hayyah.clairman@sickkids.ca 416-813-7979 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.