Challenges in transition to adulthood for young adult patients with hemophilia: Quantifying the psychosocial issues and developing solutions

Adherence to prophylactic haemophilic treatment in young patients transitioning to adult care: A qualitative review

Recombinant prophylactic treatment (PTX) has greatly improved morbidity, mortality and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with severe haemophilia. Yet, treatment adherence appears suboptimal in adolescents and young adults with haemophilia (YWH). Young patients experience major biopsychosocial changes challenging their adherence through the transition from parental to self-care, from paediatric to adult care. In clinical practice, a systematic approach to transition is rarely used and there is little evidence on best practices. This qualitative review was based on a systematic literature search including quantitative as well as qualitative research reports to examine all relevant factors influencing adherence to PTX in YWH. We aimed to gain comprehensive insight into main drivers and barriers to adherence by exploring them in the context of YWH's disease perceptions, characteristics, HRQoL and needs. The outcome is an overview of the latest published recommendations to support treatment adherence in YWH during the transition from family-oriented care to self-care and from paediatric to adult care. The literature suggests that adherence to PTX is best supported when individual patient needs and preferences are taken into consideration when planning treatment. Preserving normality is a main priority in young patients making it crucial to support patients from early childhood in considering PTX as enabling rather than hindering a normal social and physically active life. Education in self-management should include psychosocial support of patients as well as caregivers. This requires systematic transition planning including milestone assessments and ongoing multidisciplinary support until full self-management is secured.

Determinants of adherence and consequences of the transition from adolescence to adulthood among young people with severe haemophilia (TRANSHEMO): study protocol for a multicentric French national observational cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Severe haemophilia is a rare disease characterised by spontaneous bleeding from early childhood, which may lead to various complications, especially in joints. It is nowadays possible to avoid these complications thanks to substitutive therapies for which the issue of adherence is major. The transition from adolescence to adulthood in young people with severe haemophilia is a critical period as it is associated with a high risk of lack of adherence to healthcare, which might have serious consequences on daily activities and on quality of life.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We present the protocol for a cross-sectional, observational, multicentric study to assess the differences between adolescents and young adults with severe haemophilia in France through the transition process, especially on adherence to healthcare. This study is based on a mixed methods design, with two complementary and consecutive phases, comparing data from a group of adolescents (aged 14-17 years) with those from a group of young adults (aged 20-29 years). The quantitative phase focuses on the determinants (medical, organisational, sociodemographic and social and psychosocial and behavioural factors) of adherence to healthcare (considered as a marker of the success of transition). The qualitative phase explores participants' views in more depth to explain and refine the results from the quantitative phase. Eligible patients are contacted by the various Haemophilia Treatment Centres participating in the French national registry FranceCoag.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study was approved by the French Ethics Committee and by the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (number: 2016-A01034-47). Study findings will be disseminated to the scientific and medical community in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific meetings. Results will be popularised to be communicated via the French association for people with haemophilia to participants and to the general public.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02866526; Pre-results.