When a patient with lupus transitions from pediatric to adult care, it’s a fragile time. Studies show that without support, they’re unlikely to make it to their adult doctor appointments. That means they may run out of their medications and miss needed monitoring tests. This can lead to lupus flares, increasing emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and permanent organ damage. That’s why we usually care for patients until they’re 21 or 22 years old so we can help them safely transition to adult care.