Mental health, alcohol, drugs, and reproductive health in arthritis care in youth

In this #ArthritisAtHome, we are sharing this year’s #CRArthritis with Dr. Michelle Batthish, Associate Professor in Pediatrics at McMaster University, and Dr. Karen Beattie, Research Manager in Pediatrics in McMaster University, on mental health, alcohol, drugs, and reproductive health in arthritis care in youth.Youth with arthritis have a higher prevalence of mental health, such as depression and anxiety. Michelle stresses that mental health screening can be built into regular doctor visits to help identify those who may be impacted so health care providers can intervene sooner. In addition, she provides tips on how youths can talk to their doctor about the use of alcohol, drugs, and managing reproductive health with their arthritis.  Karen highlights a study she’s working on about how the stress of a family or caregiver can indirectly or directly affect a child’s disease outcomes. Her study found that higher levels or parental stress are associated with higher disease activity in child. The duo concludes with an explanation of how tools found on the Road to Adult Arthritis Care website can help kids living with arthritis move from pediatric to adult arthritis care. Additional learning resources Arthritis Consumer Experts’ Survey on Arthritis and Mental HealthRoad to Adult Arthritis CarePreparing for the transition from pediatric to adult care and beyondJointHealth™ Education – Arthritis and Mental Health