A Cross-Sectional Survey on the Transitional Care of Adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Hungary

Adrienn Erős; Gábor Veres; András Tárnok; Dóra Dohos; Caroline Otto; Zsolt Szakács; Péter Hegyi; Áron Vincze; Patrícia Sarlós

doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2020.06.002

A Cross-Sectional Survey on the Transitional Care of Adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Hungary

J Pediatr Nurs. 2020 Nov-Dec:55:e279-e285. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2020.06.002. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

Authors

Adrienn Erős¹, Gábor Veres², András Tárnok³, Dóra Dohos⁴, Caroline Otto⁵, Zsolt Szakács⁴, Péter Hegyi⁶, Áron Vincze⁵, Patrícia Sarlós⁷

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Hungary; Szentágothai Research Centre, Medical School, University of Pécs, Hungary; Heim Pál Children's Hospital, Hungary.
² Department of Paediatrics, Medical School, University of Debrecen, Hungary.
³ Department of Paediatrics, Medical School, University of Pécs, Hungary.
⁴ Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Hungary; Szentágothai Research Centre, Medical School, University of Pécs, Hungary.
⁵ First Department of Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Hungary.
⁶ Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Hungary; Szentágothai Research Centre, Medical School, University of Pécs, Hungary; First Department of Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Hungary.
⁷ Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Hungary; Szentágothai Research Centre, Medical School, University of Pécs, Hungary; First Department of Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Hungary. Electronic address: sarlos.patricia@pte.hu.

PMID: 32624314
DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2020.06.002

Abstract

Purpose: Since little is known about transitional care practices of adolescents with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in Central-Eastern Europe, we aimed to investigate the currently applied transition practices in Hungary.

Design and methods: A nationwide, multicentre survey was conducted with the invitation of 41 pediatric and adult IBD centres in February 2019.We developed a 34-item questionnaire, which included single- and multiple-choice questions related to the current clinical practice of IBD transition.

Results: The overall response rate was 31.7% (13/41); answers came predominantly from tertiary centres. Only 15.4% of the respondent centres followed international IBD guidelines. The majority of the IBD centres provided transition support; however, responses revealed a marked heterogeneity of these services. Joint visits were held only in 54% of the clinics. Gastroenterologists and next of kin are not provided education regarding transition across most centres (85 and 92%). Although adolescents received age-specific education, transition readiness was not measured. More IBD nurses and dietitians were employed in adult centres than in pediatric ones.

Conclusions: The current survey revealed critical gaps in the Hungarian IBD transition practices. As the beneficial effects of structured IBD transition programmes are recognized in Hungary, there is a growing need for the introduction of new, more effective transition practices.

Practice implications: Our results can serve as a basis for planning more effective transition strategies.

Keywords: Crohn's disease; Inflammatory bowel diseases; Structured transition; Transitional care; Ulcerative colitis.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Hungary
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases* / therapy
Surveys and Questionnaires
Transitional Care*