Systemic lupus erythematosus: important considerations in the adolescent.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) may be particularly devastating to the adolescent female because of the marked changes in appearance which may result from the disease and by its treatment. Attention is drawn to the potential of the patient manipulating her medications in response to these changes. Other special considerations include the unique side-effects of corticosteroid and antimalarial drugs, the need to distinguish psychological reactions to SLE from true organic involvement and an added risk for a flare of disease activity in the sexually active patient. A case of a teenage female with SLE is used to illustrate some of the management problems which may be encountered.