Transition practices of patients with inflammatory bowel disease from pediatric to adult healthcare systems. Results from a national survey.

BACKGROUND

Although recommendations for structured transition programs in adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) have been published, few studies have addressed the implementation of transition in real-life settings at a national level.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to report nationwide transition practices in IBD patients.

METHODS AND

SETTING

Data were collected using two anonymous questionnaires sent to pediatric gastroenterologists (PGs) and adult gastroenterologists (AGs) via the newsletters of French societies and groups specializing in adult and pediatric gastroenterology, between December 2023 and March 2024.

RESULTS

A total of 127 questionnaires were analyzed (PGs: n = 83; AGs: n = 44). Transition was structured for 44% of respondents, more frequently among PGs than AGs (51%vs 32%, p = 0.042). Among those, 52% had a designated transition coordinator and 64% provided an educational program. Structured practices and joint consultations were more common in University Hospitals (UHs) than in General Hospitals (GHs) or private practice (PP), for both PGs (p = 0.002 and p = 0.003, respectively) and AGs (p = 0.008 and p < 0.001, respectively). Although the prerequisites expected of patients before transition differed between PGs and AGs, patient adherence was considered essential by 91% of respondents. Among PGs, transfer occurred mainly after the age of 17 years (91%). For AGs, 66% considered 17-18 years as the optimal age for transfer, with no significant difference across practice settings.

CONCLUSION

While some structured processes are in place, broader efforts are needed to enhance IBD transition practices nationwide.