A transition clinic model for inflammatory bowel disease between two tertiary care centers: outcomes and predictive factors

– OBJECTIVE: Few models of transition have been proposed for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of the present study is to evaluate the feasibility of a transition model and the predictive factors for success/failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with low activity or remission IBD were enrolled. Proposed model: three meetings every four-six weeks: the first one in the pediatric center (Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital); the second one, in the adult center (Foundation Polyclinic University A. Gemelli), with pediatric gastroenterologists; the last one, in the adult center, with adult gastroenterologists only. Questionnaires included anxiety and depression clinical scale, self-efficacy, quality of life, visual-analogic scale (VAS). Transition was considered successful if the three steps were completed. RESULTS: Twenty patients were enrolled (range 18-25 years; M/F: 12/8; Ulcerative Colitis/ Crohn’s Disease 10/10); eight accepted the transition program, four delayed the process and eight refused. Patients who completed transition generated higher scores on the resilience scale, better scores on well-being perception, and had lower anxiety scores. Patients who failed transition were mostly women. The perceived utility of the transition program was scored 7.3 on a VAS scale. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed transition program seems to be feasible. Psychological scores may help in selecting patients and predicting outcomes.