Transition readiness assessment in adolescents and young adults with rheumatic diseases: The Singapore experience

Systematic literature review informing the EULAR points to consider for patient education in physical activity and self-management of pain during transitional care

OBJECTIVES

To synthesise existing evidence on transitional care programmes for young people with juvenile-onset rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (jRMDs), focusing on their structure and implementation, the qualitative experiences and perceptions of those involved, and the quantitative outcomes associated with these programmes. Together with additional information, these insights have informed the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) Points to Consider for patient education in physical activity and self-management of pain in jRMDs during transitional care.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted with a broadened scope beyond patient education in physical activity and self-management of pain to provide a comprehensive overview of transitional care in rheumatology, aiming to optimise current strategies, support evidence-based approaches, and identify areas for clinical improvement. The search was conducted in PubMed and the Cochrane Library from inception until November 1, 2023. Descriptive, qualitative, and quantitative studies were included. Two researchers independently conducted the search, screening, data extraction, and quality assessment.

RESULTS

From 31 studies, we identified 18 transitional care programmes with key approaches, including individualised and developmentally appropriate plans that often integrate educational strategies. These programmes, which generally aim to increase readiness to transfer, health-related quality of life, and continuity of care, frequently involved multidisciplinary teams and early intervention strategies. Young people with jRMDs and their families reported satisfaction with these transitional care experiences, particularly valuing early self-management support. While these programmes showed potential in promoting positive health outcomes and clinical practices, quantitative evidence supporting their effectiveness is limited, with few experimental studies confirming consistent benefits.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review highlights the diverse yet fragmented approaches in transitional care for jRMDs, emphasising the need for stronger quantitative evidence. Thus, it is important to conduct further experimental research to optimise existing programmes or develop new ones, ultimately contributing to a smoother transition to adult care and improved long-term outcomes.

Self-perceived importance and confidence of adolescents transitioning to adult care

Purpose

Motivational interviewing (MI) techniques are used by health care teams to engage adolescents and young adults (AYAs) in health care self-management and pediatric to adult health care transition (HCT) planning efforts. The aim of this study was to assess the initial level of motivation of AYAs prior to receipt of HCT anticipatory guidance and to determine associations with demographic and health coverage factors.

Methods

This retrospective study included 5112 AYAs, aged 12-26 years, from four health systems. All AYAs completed the Got Transition readiness assessment that includes MI questions on importance and confidence related to the move to an adult provider.Independent variables included demographic and health coverage factors: age, sex, race, ethnicity, language, and insurance type. The statistical approach included summary statistics, chi-square tests of independence and log-likelihood ratio tests, and generalized linear models and contrasts.

Results

The study results demonstrate initial trends in importance and confidence scores for AYAs before they became part of a HCT planning process. Importance scores increased from 12-14 through 18-20 years of age, then decreased in the 21-26-year group. Confidence scores increased from the 12-14 through the 21-26-year group.Confidence scores were generally higher than importance scores and were accompanied by smaller standard deviations. Ethnicity and insurance type also demonstrated an association with MI scoring.

Discussion

This study provides baseline scores on two key MI importance and confidence questions that can facilitate clinician understanding of AYA engagement in discussing the changes needed to move to adult care and guides the clinician to start earlier than just before transfer that often occurs around age 21.

Social and Structural Drivers of Health and Transition to Adult Care

CONTEXT

Youth with chronic health conditions experience challenges during their transition to adult care. Those with marginalized identities likely experience further disparities in care as they navigate structural barriers throughout transition.

OBJECTIVES

This scoping review aims to identify the social and structural drivers of health (SSDOH) associated with outcomes for youth transitioning to adult care, particularly those who experience structural marginalization, including Black, Indigenous, and 2-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and others youth.

DATA SOURCES

Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched from earliest available date to May 2022.

STUDY SELECTION

Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts, followed by full-text. Disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer. Primary research studying the association between SSDOH and transition outcomes were included.

DATA EXTRACTION

SSDOH were subcategorized as social drivers, structural drivers, and demographic characteristics. Transition outcomes were classified into themes. Associations between SSDOH and outcomes were assessed according to their statistical significance and were categorized into significant (P < .05), nonsignificant (P > .05), and unclear significance.

RESULTS

101 studies were included, identifying 12 social drivers (childhood environment, income, education, employment, health literacy, insurance, geographic location, language, immigration, food security, psychosocial stressors, and stigma) and 5 demographic characteristics (race and ethnicity, gender, illness type, illness severity, and comorbidity). No structural drivers were studied. Gender was significantly associated with communication, quality of life, transfer satisfaction, transfer completion, and transfer timing, and race and ethnicity with appointment keeping and transfer completion.

LIMITATIONS

Studies were heterogeneous and a meta-analysis was not possible.

CONCLUSIONS

Gender and race and ethnicity are associated with inequities in transition outcomes. Understanding these associations is crucial in informing transition interventions and mitigating health inequities.

Validation and Reference Scores of the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire in Adolescent and Young Adult IBD Patients

OBJECTIVES

Transition readiness can predict a successful transition from pediatric to adult care. This study aimed to validate and develop age-dependent reference scores for the (Dutch version of) Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ), in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODS

TRAQ has 20 items (score 1-5) distributed over 5 domains (total sum score 100) and is completed by AYAs. Following the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments methodology, we conducted the translation, back-to back translation, pretesting, and validation of the final Dutch version of TRAQ (TRAQ-NL) questionnaire. We used a Rasch model for structural validation, hypothesis testing for construct validity, and Cronbach alpha to demonstrate reliability. Reference scores were calculated using percentiles.

RESULTS

Two hundred fifty TRAQ questionnaires were evaluated in 136 AYAs with IBD [56% Crohn disease, 58% male, median age 17.5 years (range 15.7-20.4)]. The overall mean item score was 3.87 (range 1.45-5). With good reliability (Cronbach alpha 0.87), TRAQ-NL discriminated well between knowledge levels, especially in the lower levels. Transition readiness was defined as low, moderate, adequate, or excellent in patients with TRAQ percentile scores (PC) <25th (<3.375 mean item score), 25th-50th (3.375-3.9), 50th-90th (3.91-4.7), or >90th (>4.7). Younger patients, concomitant illness, fewer visits to the transition clinic, and parental dependence were associated with significantly lower TRAQ scores.

CONCLUSION

TRAQ(-NL) is reliable and valid, with age-dependent PC to identify (in)adequate transfer readiness. TRAQ can now be more easily used as a patient-reported outcome measure to monitor transition readiness longitudinally in routine care for AYAs IBD patients.