Type 1 Diabetes: Evaluating a Transition Care Model From Pediatric to Adult Care at the McGill University Health Centre.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim in this study was to describe a type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) transition care model by assessing clinic attendance, glycemic management, and diabetes-related hospitalizations.

METHODS

This work is a descriptive, longitudinal, single-centre study of patients with T1DM, who were 18 to 25 years of age and referred to our transition clinic from 2012 to 2021 (N=179).

RESULTS

Our data analysis demonstrates an average clinic attendance rate of 79% and mean time between last pediatric and first adult visit of 6.9±5.8 months. Glycated hemoglobin levels at last pediatric visit, first transition visit, and last transition visit were 8.92±1.84%, 9.03±1.84%, and 8.47±1.74%, respectively. There was no change in frequency of diabetes-related hospitalizations after transfer to transition clinic.

CONCLUSIONS

Youth attending our transition clinic had high clinic attendance and improved glycemic management at their last transition visit compared with the last pediatric visit without an increase in diabetes-related hospitalizations. This work highlights the potential importance of comprehensive support in addressing psychosocial and lifestyle challenges during the critical transition period from pediatric to adult care.