Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Transition among Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess disease characteristics and outcomes of transition in patient care among adolescent patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Materials And Methods: Data from patients younger than 18 years who were diagnosed with IBD (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or intestinal Behçet's disease) were investigated. We categorized the patients into two groups: transition IBD group (Group A, diagnosed in pediatric care followed by transfer to/attendance in adult IBD care) and non-transition group (Group B, diagnosed and followed up in pediatric care or adult IBD care without transfer).

Results: Data from a total of 242 patients [Group A (n=29, 12.0%), Group B (n=213, 88.0%)] were analyzed. A significantly higher number of patients was diagnosed at an earlier age in Group A than in Group B (<0.001). Group A patients had more severe disease in terms of number of disease flare ups (=0.011) and frequency of bowel-related complications (<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that Group B patients had more medical non-compliance than Group A patients (β=2.31, =0.018). After transition, IBD-related admission frequency, emergency admission frequency, disease flare frequency, and medical non-compliance were significantly improved.

Conclusion: The transition IBD group had more severe disease. Medical non-compliance was lower in the transition IBD group. Clinical outcomes improved after transition.