Survey of the awareness of adult rheumatologists regarding transitional care for patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in Japan.

OBJECTIVES

To understand the current status of adult rheumatology care for patients who had previously had juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) (excluding systemic JIA), and to identify issues interfering with the transition from pediatric to adult care in Japan.

METHODS

Questionnaire-based survey among 30 adult rheumatologists.

RESULTS

Eighty-seven percent of adult rheumatologists responded that they had provided medical care to adults who had had JIA; 44% of them had felt hesitation or anxiety when providing such care. The reasons for this included lack of independence of the patients, lack of knowledge and experience among adult rheumatologists, and lack of preparation for accepting such patients. Many adult rheumatologists believed that the timing of transition from pediatric to adult rheumatology care must be considered based on therapeutic regimens or clinical conditions/disease states, not solely chronological age. A majority of adult rheumatologists showed great interest in transitional care for JIA patients and desired to communicate better with pediatric rheumatologists.

CONCLUSION

Transitional care for JIA patients is not sufficiently developed in Japan. Education and advocate campaign of transitional care is required for adult rheumatologists as well as patients and their parents.