Adolescent Rheumatology

Children diagnosed with rheumatic disease will need constant care for the rest of their lives. While there is no cure for this disease there have been rapid advancements in managing this debilitating disease that can greatly improve the quality of life. Through adolescence, patients and physicians must contend with physical, psychological, and social changes as the patient develops, therefore, age-specific issues that arise must be addressed. This book focuses on the clinical, adolescent-specific aspects of rheumatic disease, and while most rheumatic disorders are primarily managed by drug therapy, this text also examines the importance of adolescent specific issues including the transition from child to adult.