ABSTRACT
The last few decades have seen impressive advances in treatments for rheumatological conditions. Adolescents with chronic rheumatic diseases can now expect to be prescribed a broad range of pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies to control pain, improve function, and increase health-related quality-of-life. These can involve significant lifestyle changes, including self-medication (including subcutaneous injection), physical exercise, the wearing and use of orthopedic aids and adaptations, avoidance of risk activities, and regular clinic attendance. In most cases, these changes must be maintained over the long-term and rarely offer immediate benefit. They inevitably impinge upon the adolescent’s free-time, limiting leisure and peer activities, and can affect appearance (i.e., through the wearing of splints, use of orthopedic aids or side effects of medication).
