According to a new study, IBD patients deemed ready for transition to adult care experienced significantly fewer clinical relapses and hospitalizations within 12 months.

The study, published in Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology, explored the impact of transition readiness on clinical outcomes for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients moving to adult care. Conducted at a tertiary adult and pediatric center, this prospective observational study included 80 adolescents aged ≥ 17 years with IBD who underwent a structured transition program. This program involved two joint adult-pediatric visits and utilized the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ) to evaluate readiness.

The findings revealed that 67.5% of the patients were deemed ready for transition, with a mean TRAQ score of 3.2. Patients ready for transition experienced fewer clinical relapses and hospitalizations within 12 months compared to those not ready (p=0.004 and p=0.04, respectively). The researchers noted that the TRAQ score was a significant predictor of medication adherence, with a cutoff score of 3.16 demonstrating 77% sensitivity and 82% specificity.

The researchers noted that children with IBD face unique challenges, including growth retardation, delayed puberty, and psychological and social issues, making the transition from pediatric to adult care complex and requiring organized support. They indicated that transition to adult care for IBD patients lacks standardization, with current recommendations based on limited evidence. The long-term benefits of transition programs and interventions require further investigation.

The study highlighted the importance of incorporating readiness assessment tools like TRAQ into transition management, emphasizing the necessity of preparing patients for transition beyond merely reaching a specific age and focusing on developmental readiness and continuous education.

The authors have no financial support or conflicts of interest to declare.