Gaps in healthcare are common between the ages of 17 and 21. But simple collaborations between adult and pediatric rheumatologists can go a long way to help young adults stay engaged in their rheumatology care…
Ustekinumab Approved for Use in Adolescents with Plaque Psoriasis
In October, the FDA approved ustekinumab to treat patients 12 years or older who have moderate to severe plaque psoriasis…
Ethics Forum: Prescribing Teratogenic Medications to Adolescents Can Raise Confidentiality, Ethical Concerns
Case A 17-year-old girl returns to the rheumatology clinic for scheduled follow-up for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). She is accompanied by her mother and father. She has a history of autoimmune cytopenias and Class III lupus nephritis. She has responded well to treatment with mycophenolate mofetil and hydroxychloroquine and was successfully weaned off of prednisone…
Ustekinumab Can Be Used to Safely Treat Teens & More
A recent study showed ustekinumab can be used to treat teens with moderate to severe psoriasis. Also, Phase 2 trials for an analgesic combination drug show it holds promise for reducing post-operative pain…
Alcohol Use Complicates Chronic Disease Management in Teens
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—High school students with chronic medical conditions who drink alcohol are more likely than their nondrinking peers to forget or skip taking their medications, according to an online survey. “I was surprised to see such a clear association between alcohol use and medication nonadherence—a finding which really brings home the need to…
Ustekinumab Found to Be Effective in Adolescents with Psoriasis
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Adolescents with moderate to severe psoriasis may respond to the human monoclonal antibody ustekinumab as well as adults, with no unexpected side effects, a new study found. The findings are exciting in part because patients in this age group have limited treatment options, the study’s lead author Dr. Ian Landells, of Memorial…