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While the World Health Organization (WHO) Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) is a useful screening and brief intervention tool for use with adults, the risk cut-offs are not appropriate for people under 18 years of age. Drawing on the literature available and expert clinical consultation and consensus, two distinct ASSIST-Youth (ASSIST-Y) questionnaires and Feedback Report cards with different score weightings were proposed, reflecting the dynamic nature of substance use-related risk in developing adolescents ages 10 to 14 years and ages 15 to 17 years old. Appropriate interventions also were recommended, with a strong emphasis on referral for assessment and management of broader psychosocial issues. This revised ASSIST for young people was developed with the intention that this “first-pass” set of cut-off scores and associated materials might form the basis for further psychometric validation of the youth ASSIST in the future, while still providing practitioners with a screening brief intervention option for using with young people in the interim. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this article, the author provides information on hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic condition that occurs in areas that contain apocrine sweat glands. She describes the clinical features and prevalence of HS in addition to the variety in the severity of its symptoms. Particular focus is also given to the treatment options for HS as well as the conditions that should be met by a patient to make a diagnosis of this disease.

Purpose: To enhance the clinician's knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)., Target Audience: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care., Objectives: After participating in this educational activity, the participant should be better able to: 1. Assess and diagnose the pathophysiology and prevalence of HS. 2. Interpret the diagnostic process for HS. 3. Evaluate treatment options for HS.