Medical treatment of adolescents with rheumatic disease.

: Although medication has yet to cure rheumatic disease, over the past two decades many adolescent patients have had improved quality of life with better control of pain, deformity, and weakness. However, noncompliance resulting from risk-taking behavior and concerns about cosmetic side effects and fertility may reduce the effectiveness of any drug regimen. The author reviews commonly used medications and their indications and side effects, and includes a section about the effect of pregnancy on rheumatic disease.