Health Care Transition of Adolescents and Young Adults with Haemophilia: the Situation in Germany and the Munich experience

Inherited fibroblast growth factor 23 excess

Syndromes of inherited fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) excess encompass a wide spectrum that includes X-linked hypophosphataemia (XLH), autosomal dominant and recessive forms of rickets as well as various syndromic conditions namely fibrous dysplasia/McCune Albright syndrome, osteoglophonic dysplasia, Jansen's chondrodysplasia and cutaneous skeletal hypophosphataemia syndrome. A careful attention to patient symptomatology, family history and clinical features, supported by appropriate laboratory tests will help in making a diagnosis. A genetic screen may be done to confirm the diagnosis. While phosphate supplements and calcitriol continue to be the cornerstone of treatment, in recent times burosumab, the monoclonal antibody against FGF-23 has been approved for the treatment of children and adults with XLH. While health-related outcomes may be improved by ensuring adherence and compliance to prescribed treatment with a smooth transition to adult care, bony deformities may persist in some, and this would warrant surgical correction.

Transition readiness among adolescents and young adults with haemophilia in the Netherlands: Nationwide questionnaire study

INTRODUCTION

Care for adolescents with haemophilia is transferred from paediatric to adult care around the age of 18 years. Transition programs help to prepare adolescents for this transfer and prevent declining treatment adherence. Evaluating transition readiness may identify areas for improvement.

OBJECTIVE

Assess transition readiness among Dutch adolescents and young adults with haemophilia, determine factors associated with transition readiness, and identify areas of improvement in transition programs.

METHODS

All Dutch adolescents and young adults aged 12-25 years with haemophilia were invited to participate in a nationwide questionnaire study. Transition readiness was assessed using multiple-choice questions and was defined as being ready or almost ready for transition. Potential factors associated with transition readiness were investigated, including: socio-demographic and disease-related factors, treatment adherence, health-related quality of life, and self-efficacy.

RESULTS

Data of 45 adolescents and 84 young adults with haemophilia (47% with severe haemophilia) were analyzed. Transition readiness increased with age, from 39% in 12-14 year-olds to 63% in 15-17 year-olds. Nearly all post-transition young adults (92%, 77/84) reported they were ready for transition. Transition readiness was associated with treatment adherence, as median VERITAS-Pro treatment adherence scores were worse in patients who were not ready (17, IQR 9-29), compared to those ready for transition (11, IQR 9-16). Potential improvements were identified: getting better acquainted with the adult treatment team prior to transition and information on managing healthcare costs.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly all post-transition young adults reported they were ready for transition. Improvements were identified regarding team acquaintance and preparation for managing healthcare costs.

Understanding the impact of long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders for patients and caregivers

Long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders (LC-FAOD) are a group of rare, autosomal recessive genetic disorders that impair conversion of long-chain fatty acids into energy. Here we describe the impact of LC-FAOD in terms of effects on work and school, absenteeism and presenteeism at work, importance of symptoms, physical activity, participation in social activities, and quality of life (QoL). A convenience sample of adults (≥18 years) and caregivers of patients with LC-FAOD was invited to take the online survey (Confirmit). To be included, patients must have been receiving medical care from a healthcare provider for their LC-FAOD, and caregivers must not have been compensated for their care. Degree of physical activity, represented by metabolic equivalents (METs), was calculated using the NHANES Physical Activity Questionnaire. Absenteeism and presenteeism at work were calculated using the WHO Health Productivity Questionnaire. QoL was assessed using the 12-Item Short Form of the Medical Outcomes Survey. Significance was assessed using two tailed independent sample t-tests and z-tests at α = 0.1. Fourteen adults and 30 caregivers of LC-FAOD patients (answering for 37 patients) answered the survey (51 unique respondents). 59.2% of LC-FAOD patients experienced effects on their schooling due to LC-FAOD. 84.2% of working patients experienced effects on their work due to LC-FAOD. 70% of caregivers experienced effects on their work due to their child's LC-FAOD. Unique respondents report that muscle weakness (69%), physical fatigue (49%), and rhabdomyolysis (39%) are the most impactful symptoms of LC-FAOD. Adults (n = 14) scored significantly below the normalized average (50) on both physical (34.51, p < 0.001) and mental (45.27, p = 0.04) component scores of the SF-12 health-related quality of life measure. LC-FAOD impart a high disease impact on patients and their caregivers. In particular, symptoms relating to energy production were rated as highly impactful and limiting. Activities that may be considered normal for many people can prove to be very difficult or impossible for respondents with LC-FAOD, with respondents reporting lower physical and mental health-related quality of life measures than the average American.

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LC-FAOD has a measurable impact on patient and caregiver education and employment (83/85).

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Muscle weakness was the most impactful symptom of LC-FAOD on individuals' lives (82/85).

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Physical and mental health were significantly lower in individuals with LC-FAOD (82/85).

X-Linked Hypophosphatemia Transition and Team Management

X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is the most common form of inherited disorders that are characterized by renal phosphate wasting, but it is a rare chronic disease. XLH presents in multisystemic organs, not only in childhood, but also in adulthood. Multidisciplinary team management is necessary for the care of patients with XLH. Although XLH has often been perceived as a childhood disease, recent studies have demonstrated that it is a long-term and progressive disease throughout adulthood. In the past 20 years, the importance of the transition from pediatric care to adult care for patient outcomes in adulthood in many pediatric onset diseases has been increasingly recognized. This review describes transitional care and team management for patients with XLH.

Health Care Transition From Pediatric- to Adult-Focused Care in X-linked Hypophosphatemia: Expert Consensus

CONTEXT

X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is an inherited skeletal disorder that can lead to lifelong deleterious musculoskeletal and functional consequences. Although often perceived as a childhood condition, children and adults both experience the negative effects of XLH. Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) benefit from effective health care transition (HCT) preparation to support the transfer from pediatric- to adult-focused care. Whereas transition timelines, milestones, and educational tools exist for some chronic conditions, they do not meet the unique needs of patients with XLH.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

To produce the first expert recommendations on HCT preparation for AYAs with XLH developed by clinical care investigators and transition experts, a formal literature search was conducted and discussed in an advisory board meeting in July 2020. A modified Delphi method was used to refine expert opinion and facilitate a consensus position.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

We identified the need for psychosocial and access-related resources for disease education, genetic counseling, family planning, and AYA emancipation from caregiver-directed care. Additionally, we recognized that it is necessary to facilitate communication with patients through channels familiar and accessible to AYAs and teach patients to advocate for their health care/access to specialists.

CONCLUSION

Clear HCT preparation guidelines and treatment-related goals are defined. Individualized timelines and practical strategies for HCT preparation are proposed to optimize health outcomes resulting from continuous clinical care throughout the patient lifecycle. We provide an expert consensus statement describing a tailored HCT preparation program specifically for AYAs with XLH to aid in the effective transfer from pediatric- to adult-focused health care.