Transitioning from pediatric to adult-oriented healthcare in rheumatology: the pediatric side of the coin

Abstract Objectives The transition of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) from pediatric to adult-oriented healthcare may be affected by many factors, including the personal and cultural settings. We aimed to analyse the transition readiness and the factors affecting the transition success in rheumatology. Methods Patients older than 12 years were included in this prospective study. All filled out the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ) 5.0. AYAs were phone-interviewed after their transfer to adult-oriented healthcare. Drug adherence was evaluated with 4-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-4). AYAs rated their transitional care experience with visual analogue scale (VAS 0–10; 0, the worst; 10, the best). Results A total of 504 TRAQs were filled out by 406 patients (F/M = 1.5). The total TRAQ score was positively correlated with age and higher in the forms filled out by girls than boys (4.2 vs 4.0, respectively; P = 0.005). The transition was successful for 78 (83.9%) out of 93 patients transferred to adult-oriented healthcare. The VAS for the transition process was lower and the post-transfer MMAS-4 score was worse (8 vs 9, P = 0.030 and 3 vs 4, P = 0.020, respectively) in patients whose transition was not successful when compared with those that successfully transitioned. The best-performing TRAQ cut-off value was >4.0 for predicting transfer readiness in rheumatology. Conclusion A TRAQ score of >4 could be used while deciding about the transfer readiness of AYAs in rheumatology. Improving the AYAs’ experience of the transition process and closely monitoring medication adherence during transition are essential for a successful transition.